Opening day for baseball is right around the corner! Everyone is ready to get rowdy at Patriot Bank Park to cheer on our Diamond Dragons! However, we still have some weeks to go. So until further due, let’s learn more about our starting pitcher, Thomas Crabtree. Thomas is a senior here at Collierville High School. Along with being the starting pitcher, Crabtree is also shortstop.

Thomas has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old, and in the previous years, he played summer and fall ball for the East Coast Sox. His favorite baseball memory of all time is when his team won the world series when he was 12. Looking at his school career, his favorite memory as a Diamond Dragon was when they beat Houston in districts last season. Though in the bigger picture, his favorite thing about the sport is that you learn how to compete. In his words, “baseball is about more than just the game,” it’s about having “a stronger mental capacity” than your opponent.

Crabtree plans to play baseball collegiately. He has committed to East Tennessee State University. Although his future plans include being in another town, Thomas’s path here in Collierville isn’t over just yet. He can’t wait to be a starting pitcher for some of the big games. He loves being one of the seniors on the team, but he hates the fact that he will have to leave the younger players and memories behind. In his opinion, Houston will be the toughest game this season. Lastly, his walk-out song for this year is “Follow God” by Kanye West. So, when you hear it come on, just know Thomas is coming on the field!

In case you want to know a little more about Thomas, here are some fun facts. He has been growing his mullet out since 8^th grade. If he could only listen to one song for the rest of his life it would be, “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore. Finally, he drinks a C4 and eats a Reese’s before he pitches. He feels like it’s a good luck charm.

Don’t forget to come and support the CHS baseball team at Meet the Dragons on March 11^th! Opening day is also March 13^th, Pack out the Park!