Coping with Life: October 2015

Monday, October 19, 2015

Star Shortstop Back on Summer League Squad

By Joe Tierney

Steven Mutek, a once decorated shortstop for the Hamilton Hornets, found himself back on the baseball field this summer after a three year absence from the sport.

Playing for a new team and a new position, Mutek joined an independent wooden bat league called the Hamilton Bomb Squad where he became the everyday second baseman. The Bomb Squad is a younger team in the wooden bat league district comprised of multiple athletes from surrounding areas.

“I just didn’t want to give up on my past passion,” said the 21 year old athlete. “I missed this sport so much, and I kept thinking what if I still got it.”

Mutek, who was known more his glove than bat, appeared to “still have it” after spending the summer producing quite a bit of impressive defensive plays. Mutek who has played shortstop his entire life said it wasn’t difficult to learn how to adapt to the new position. “They are very similar positions so I feel fortunate,” said Mutek. “But honestly I just go where coach tells me and I play to the best of my ability. If he wants me to learn how to play catcher, then damn it I’m going to go play catcher.”

The craft second basemen also batted well this past summer, hitting a respectable .300 over 16 games, most notably when he went 3 for 5 with 6 RBIS against rivals The Lyndhurst Legion. Mutek helped assist the bomb squad to an 10-6 record, landing second place out of five in the central division.

Sadly the team did not advance far in the playoffs, after getting knocked out in the first round by Morrisville Summer Squad. “Well that’s how baseball goes,” said Mutek. “You can play great all year, but the playoff games are obviously the most competitive. Whoever is hungriest for the win will get it and that wasn’t us this summer.”

Now back for his junior year of college, at Rutgers University, Mutek is trying to focus on the books till spring gets closer. The mechanical engineer has his work cut out for his this semester taking 18 credits. “Hey if it was up to me I would be playing ball all year,” he said with a wide grin. “But realistically got to balance reality with fun.”

Mutek does plan to return to the Bomb Squad this summer with hopes to move over toward the shortstop position. He aspired to lead and play his summer league ball with a attitude like that of his idol, Derek Jeter.

Photo: Steven Mutek poses in front of American flag in one of his many baseball uniforms.

Featured bloggers

SUSAN DOWD STONE
Susan has served as president of Postpartum Support International. She is a certified therapist who serves on the national board of the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. She is an adjunct assistant professor in the Silver School of Social Work at NYU, where she teaches cognitive therapies. She also writes for the Empowher blog.

ANDY BEHRMAN
Andy is a mental health writer whose autobiographical book, "Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania," has been translated into six foreign languages. His articles have been featured in The New York Times Magazine, and he was recently featured on CNN's "360" with Anderson Cooper. He currently lives mania-free in Los Angeles with his wife and daughters.

STEVE BERLIN
Steve Berlin has experience as a writer for national publications. He has had lengthy experience in the fire service, and served briefly as a high school teacher. A resident of Arlington, Va., Steve is pursuing a masters degree in public policy.

LAUREN HALE
A mother of three and survivor of Postpartum OCD, Lauren Hale now supports women and families who struggle with perinatal mood disorders. She serves as Georgia's postpartum international support coordinator, moderates message boards at iVillage for new mothers and blogs at Unexpected Blessing. Lauren is also one of the founders of The Postpartum Dads Project.