Most athletes focus on one or two sports throughout their year and then have a couple months of practice and rest. After the school year, lots of these students’ summers are spent conditioning, relaxing, or playing video games. For Collin Sharp (11), video games became more than just a hobby. He helped to start Mr. Baldwin’s Esports team with a couple other athletes and their teamwork has begun a successful new sport for LCHS. Sharp originally just played baseball, but the addition of this sport has influenced his high school career and taught him how to explore different environments.
“In baseball, I have learned life skills like how to show up early, be more professional with the coaches and my teammates, and how to balance sports with school. My favorite baseball memory was when I got a double hit down the left field line and it was just a perfect hit, “ Sharp said.
The new warmth of spring and start of the season gives Sharp momentum for his junior season. Being on such a supportive team allowed him to develop alongside some of his closest friends, and being that close of a team makes even the smaller moments more fun. While baseball has taught him a lot, playing video games competitively allowed him to pursue a whole new genre of competition. This environment shows the team how to work together in drastically different ways than the ball sports they usually play. Sharp mentions what it mean to him to have been able to start this team and pursue it with his friends.
“It means a lot to be able to go out with my buddies and compete. Hunter and I were just joking about starting an Esports team and then we talked to Baldwin and just decided to do it,” Sharp said.
Their team has become the top district in the country, top in the state, and top in the eastern region. These boys have learned how to take their personal hobbies and translate them into a professional environment, while also being able to celebrate their wins in new ways. Sharp’s favorite moments from the gaming competitions are similar to baseball in that he gets to have fun with his friends, but the different conditions and stakes are notable as well. He compares being watched by a stadium of people versus a small room of people.
“My favorite time in Esports is when I get to celebrate our wins with the guys after hitting a good team play. There is definitely a lot more pressure in baseball, but Baldwin keeps the pressure up [in Esports] by yelling and keeping us motivated,” Sharp said.
Sharp also talks about how while he enjoys celebrating his baseball wins, his esports wins create memories with their small group of friends instead of a the big baseball team. Sharp’s determination to balance both with school will lead to an experienced and opportunity filled senior year.
“For my senior year I definitely want to go off with a bang for both sports and I’m gonna try my hardest,” Sharp said. `
