Ohio is another stop in Austin Prott’s cross-country tour, but his mission is no different.
The Chico, California, native is in his first season with the Lake Erie Crushers after spending 2014 with the Alpine Cowboys, an independent team in Alpine, Texas. The Chico State alumnus has also spent time in Wisconsin and Arizona, but he said he hasn’t noticed much difference in the various places he has seen.
He also noted the melting pot that professional baseball brews, bringing players from beyond Prott’s West Coast roots.
‘As the season has caught on, we’ve started to mesh a lot more,’ Prott said. ‘When we first came in, we’re all from different parts of the United States, different parts of the world, really. We have different backgrounds and everything, so it just takes a while for everyone to start meshing together, to learn the tendencies and start playing games as a team instead of individuals.’
Prott has had a solid start individually. As of June 17, the outfielder has hit.279 with two home runs, three RBI and two stolen bases through 13 games with the Crushers. His success has carried over from 2014, where he hit .360 with 10 home runs and 65 RBI through 66 games for Alpine, part of the Pecos League.
Prott’s approach at the plate has been as simple as remaining consistent.
‘I’m just trying to stick to a routine,’ Prott said. ‘All of us baseball players have some sort of routine that we go through every day, whether it’s eating breakfast or what we do before batting practice, whatever it may be.’
Prott’s routine is simply finding ways to relax, whether it’s listening to music or taking reps in the batting cage. The key, he said, is to avoid overthinking.
‘There’s so many aspects and so many dimensions to it that if you start letting all those overwhelm you, you’re just going to fall apart,’ he said.
As Prott works to keep his swing and mindset consistent, he also hopes to meet his goal – sign with a major-league affiliate. Until then, he will do his part to contribute to the Crushers’ record, which sits at 10-17.
Defense remains Prott’s biggest strength, but his first year in the Frontier League has required some adjustments in the batter’s box.
‘The pitchers have a little more control and are able to throw offspeed in any count they want, so it’s just that adjustment of not necessarily guessing the pitches, but being able to handle a fastball or offspeed pitch in any count,’ Prott explained.
On June 18, Prott was 0-for-2 during a rain-shortened game as the Crushers fell, 3-0, to Florence after five innings.
All three Florence runs scored in the fifth inning off Lake Erie reliever Zac Treece. Starter Zach Morton went four innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six.
Freedom third baseman Steve Carrillo led off the fifth inning with a single down the left field line and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sean Mahley added an infield single before Daniel Fraga hit an RBI single to right. With two out, Austin Newell, doubled home two more runs for the 3-0 lead.
The game was called in the top of the sixth inning.
