Two things are immediately clear when talking to Lowell Chevalier — he loves baseball and he’s determined to follow his dream.
Chevalier, a Menominee Indian High School senior who played on the school’s baseball team, the Menominee American Legion team and the Menominee Badger Amateur Baseball Association team, has always had an affinity for baseball.
“Ever since the first time I ever even picked up a ball, I’ve been into baseball,” Chevalier said. “This is what I want to make my life. When I heard about the tryouts, I figured this was a big opportunity.”
In September, Chevalier traveled to Milwaukee to participate in tryouts put on by Baseball Factory, a company that runs a baseball development program for players 14-18 years old and holds more than 500 camps and tournaments around the country all year.
The tryout set Chevalier back $100, but he told his mother he’d pay for it himself.
“I know I have the skills, but it kind of had to do with if I had a good day or not. But I knew I could do it,” Chevalier said.
Two days later, he was invited to the Baseball Factory Christmas Camp and Tournament at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
“Obviously, it’s kind of a big deal for me. I’ll get a lot of national exposure and it’s the first time I’ll play winter ball,” Chevalier said. “I’ll get to play in front of college scouts and major league scouts and former major league players.”
The event, held at the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is three days and includes a camp where players will get coaching and tournament games with players from across the country.
To help with trip costs, Chevalier and his family have been holding fundraisers, including a food sale in Keshena and organizing a softball tournament set for Oct. 11-12 at White City Ballpark in Neopit.
The softball tournament already has six teams signed up, and Chevalier is grateful for everyone helping him.
“That lets me know I have a lot of support. I’m not saying I didn’t think I would have a lot of support, but it makes you feel good to know that people will stand behind me and support me on this,” Chevalier said. “They know how big a deal it is for me. Anyone who really knows me knows that I really love baseball.”
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