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Baseball can be a grueling sport, but Braydn ONeal is having fun this summer.
The North Callaway graduate and Columbia College player is with the Sedalia Steamers, who compete in the ..
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Please log in to continue | Baseball can be a grueling sport, but Braydn ONeal is having fun this summer.
The North Callaway graduate and Columbia College player is with the Sedalia Steamers, who compete in the inaugural summer collegiate Diamond Baseball League.
ONeal has contributed to Sedalias rise to first place, as of the six-team standings on July 20, before he begins his junior season at Columbia College.
There have been many new faces with ONeals new team.
Still, there has been some familiarity as ONeal has had seven of his Columbia College teammates and associate head baseball coach and Sedalia Steamers manager Craig Boomer McAndrews.
Every year, we have exit meetings with the coaches, ONeal said.
Boomer, who is the head coach for the Steamers this year, asked me if I would be interested in playing summer ball with him.
I felt like it was a great opportunity to keep playing baseball over the summer.
ONeal said it has helped to have that Columbia College bond in Sedalia, including Hallsvilles Colton Nichols, Eldons Hunter Hees and Fultons Miles Bethell.
He has forged meaningful bonds with the new faces, too.
Diesel Purnell is an infielder for the Steamers who owns a 1.037 OPS in 92 at bats, as of July 20.
Purnell has also given ONeal valuable advice.
I always took lifting seriously, but Diesel has pushed me a lot more in the weight room, ONeal said.
Also with being more healthy, like eating habits and taking care of my body.
Everyday well go lift, and after we lift, well go to the pool, sit in a hot tub and then sit in a cold tub and back in the hot tub.
ONeal said they have a routine everyday to eat good meals, and his health has improved much more over this summer.
He said this helps with baseball, especially, which demands athletes to play almost everyday.
Playing this summer in Sedalia has been amazing for me and everybody else, ONeal said.
Learning baseball through another perspective through other guys is really special and helps my game a lot.
His time in Sedalia has paid off on the field.
ONeal owns a .271 batting average and a .419 on base percentage in 59 at bats, as of July 20.
He has also had special moments like hitting a two-run homer on Fathers Day in a 6-0 win over the Grand Island Fightin Cranes with his father and North Callaway football head coach Kevin ONeal in attendance in Nebraska.
I had hit my first home run (with Columbia College) this spring, but that one felt really special, ONeal said.
I was struggling a little bit before all that.
The week before, I hit with my dad a couple times, and we tweaked some things.
Hitting that home run, rounding first base and hearing him yell, Heck yeah felt really good.
Four days prior in a home game against the Jefferson City Renegades, ONeal hit a walk-off single for a 3-2 victory in the 10th inning.
That situation was different because ONeal was a late defensive substitution when his spot in the order came up.
Boomer talked to me, settled me down and said Go do you, ONeal said.
I stepped in that box, saw that pitch I wanted and it played out well.
ONeal said he has gained more confidence on the field this summer and is confident that will translate to another stellar spring season at Columbia College.
The Cougars finished with yet another 30-win season in a year ONeal started 16 games and posted a perfect fielding percentage in the outfield.
McAndrews and Mexico native Darren Munns are wise baseball coaches and teachers of life lessons with Columbia College, ONeal said.
The mental side of baseball is a big thing where they helped me, ONeal said.
Im hard on myself, but this summer, I have learned that the sun is going to come up tomorrow no matter what I do.
I could go 4-for-4 or 0-for-4.
No matter what happens, Ive got to show up and play a game.
ONeal said he has needed to enjoy the moment and has been doing that with the Steamers.
This is key to get through the tough times in baseball, which ONeal also credits his younger and all-state brother, Coltyn, for helping him do.
The Steamers have games until the end of July before the leaders of each division face each other in a three-game series for first place.
We need to continue to keep good morale in the dugout for sure, ONeal said.
Some guys are coming close to 80 games this year from spring to summer, so it can get a little old.
Keep the game fun and enjoy the moment while were there.