Swanson Became A Leader For Herndon in 2006
Tate Swanson's love for baseball spawned before he even stepped into a kindergarten classroom. He was only four years old when he began playing the sport that would become one of the most important aspects of his life.
However, it was the toned-down form of our national pastime, T-ball, that helped him learn how to play and love the game of baseball. He’s been playing ever since.
From different house leagues to numerous travel leagues, Swanson has done it all. “I have been playing baseball for the high school since my freshman year, and I have been on the varsity for the past three seasons, since my sophomore year.”
High school has treated him very well. He has done a great job for the Hornets, helping Herndon compete for the Concorde District title each of the past three years.
Swanson has been used as a utility man, moving from position to position on the diamond. He moved from catcher to second baseman, and this season he’s in the outfield. “I play left field this year, but my favorite position is third base,” said Swanson. Even though he has played many positions, one aspect of his game remains constant-his hitting. He has been one of the Hornets’ best hitters over the past three seasons.
This past season Swanson batted .465, with 5 home runs and 20 runs batted in, giving him more runs batted in than games played. He has a .574 on base percentage and a slugging percentage that is off the charts, at 1.000. This year has proved to be his best season of organized baseball. “In my opinion, Tate hits the ball harder than any other player in the region,” head coach Alan McCullock stated.
His teammates are glad to have him on their squad, for he has helped the team put up some big wins. “He has been the best hitter on the team all season long. He has had a lot of big hits that have ultimately helped the team out in important games,” said sophomore varsity player Ian McNichol.
Playing baseball was not always his only sport of choice. Swanson said, “I used to play football for the varsity team, but now my main focus is baseball.”
He began to focus primarily on baseball because he knew it would be the best choice for him to further his sports career. He played football for the first three years of high school and stopped after his junior year. He devoted his senior year solely to baseball because it is the sport he wishes to pursue in the future, and it is the sport that he will play in college.
The young Herndon slugger idolizes a player who has yet to reach the pinnacle of baseball, the 700 home run plateau. Swanson says, “I like to watch Ken Griffey, Jr. play because he is one of the best players who hasn’t used steroids in his career… and he has a really sweet swing.”
Next year will be a very exciting one for Swanson. Not only will he go off to college, but he’ll get to play his favorite sport there as well. “I am going to UMBC in Baltimore on a baseball scholarship to play third base next year, and I can‘t wait,” Swanson stated. There he will get to play his favorite position, third base, and do what he does best: hit homers and drive in runs.
Even when college is over, he dreams that his career will go on. Said Swanson, “I hope to play after college and make it in professional baseball.” If he continues to improve the shear power and pure hitting skills he’s displayed through out his high school career, Swanson may make his dreams reality.
