The Story Begins
Every child as they grow up, pictures the grandeur of a life yet to be lived. Some put all of their efforts to creating the opportunities to make these fictional scenarios once played out in their minds a reality, which in the athletic world means early mornings and late nights. 2 a days, and jogs before the sun begins to rise above the horizon. This is the tale of Dominic Matthiesen.
Dominic Matthiesen, a small town star was quickly starting to just see how much the world evolved him. A few months after turning eighteen and celebrating his high school graduation, he was off to try out for major league teams in the regional showcases. Selected as a member of the Central division, this outfielder from Illinois was seeking to make a name for himself. Batting at .367 in his senior year was when he began to turn heads, along with leading his high school conference with 17 stolen bases, only getting caught stealing once. He hadn't hit a homerun all through high school however, a contact hitter that could pepper hits across the outfield.
His athleticism is his major draw, he has a solid bat, especially so against right handed pitching, but what drew the scouts to his small town was his cannon of an arm. Impressing with a YouTube video of him making a seemingly impossible throw out from a hit laced to center field to home plate to prevent a tying run and ending the game was a tremendous moment in his career, and the one that started drawing attention.
It was that moment where he became polarized, the small town kid was starting to get more attention, evening landing on a few Chicago news networks. His goal? To hold down center field for the Chicago Cubs. Though it seemed to be an easier task when the Cubs were the lovable losers of days past, his goal remained the same. A young player wishing to be the one to bring the glorious trophy to the friendly confines, that age old task having been completed, he still wished to be known as an allstar for his favorite team.
Though the draft stood between him and that. Of course he'd play for any team that drafted him, right?
Not so easy.
College scholarships started coming in, he could stay local and play for Northern Illinois University, his family would be able to attend the games, but they weren't overly impressive in terms of creating MLB prospects. In fact the last Northern Illinois baseball player in the MLB? Brian Schmack who lasted just one season in 2003 playing for the Detroit Tigers.
He could also play for the University of Illinois or University of Washington, two schools whom he also had high in his recruiting pursuits. The choices were wide, it wasn't an easy choice, and in the matter of a week, his life was going to be vastly different. Embarking upon a college lifestyle or immediately becoming a professional.
Three games, one scouting day, to create a lifetime.
All that was left was to go.
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