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'I love the game': Balazovic taking in home stretch as heart and soul of Cheboygan baseball

jared greenleaf, cheboygan daily tribune
·3 min read

CHEBOYGAN – Dylan Balazovic remembers his first year of varsity baseball like it was yesterday.

Just a freshman at the time, the word scary would be an understatement.

“It was terrifying, catching 80s (mile per hour pitches) the whole time,” Balazovic recalled. “I’ve never done anything like that before and it was definitely an experience.”

Now a senior, it’s safe to say it all worked out for Balazovic, who still holds his starting catcher role and is the heart and soul of the Cheboygan baseball team.

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As a varsity Chief, Balazovic has established himself into an excellent catcher, working with some terrific pitchers along the way, including former all-staters Caleb Williams, Daniel Wilcome and Henry Stempky. In addition, he’s been named to the All-Straits Area Conference team multiple times. Two years ago, Balazovic, along with Wilcome, Stempky and his brother Tyler, were all members of the Cheboygan team that beat Escanaba for the district title.

“I caught for Caleb Williams my freshman year, but Henry (Stempky) and Danny (Wilcome) really took me under their wing and helped me a lot,” Balazovic said. “Everything those guys taught me, I’m trying to teach to these younger guys like Sean (Postula) and the two sophomores and a freshman we have right now.

“(My varsity career) all started with a lot of good talent and a lot of good people.”

Senior Dylan Balazovic is in his fourth season as the starting catcher of the Cheboygan varsity baseball team. In his career, Balazovic has shined as a player, earning All-Straits Area Conference accolades multiple times.
Senior Dylan Balazovic is in his fourth season as the starting catcher of the Cheboygan varsity baseball team. In his career, Balazovic has shined as a player, earning All-Straits Area Conference accolades multiple times.

Whether it’s throwing runners out, hammering a fastball for a base hit, or encouraging fellow Chiefs, Balazovic has proven to be the ultimate teammate in a program that’s had success.

But what has he learned the most during this four-year journey?

“Honestly, you never know when it’s going to end so just enjoy every second because it flies by,” Balazovic said. “I remember those (older) guys were sitting there like, ‘Oh, this is my last game,’ and I was laughing at them because I had three seasons left, but here I am at the same point.”

While Balazovic has thrived at catcher, he’s taken up another important position – pitcher. In his prior three campaigns, Balazovic never pitched for the Chiefs, but this year he’s already thrown multiple games, including a recent 5 2/3-inning, four-strikeout outing that gave the Chiefs a sweep over SAC rival Rudyard.

“It’s definitely something new and Coach (Kevin Baller) was like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to be our No. 2 pitcher now,’ and I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready for anything,’” Balazovic said. “I just want to go out there and win and do whatever it takes and have fun.”

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As Balazovic wraps up his career with Cheboygan, the next baseball chapter remains a mystery. For someone who’s been in love with the game since he was a youngster, he has plans of playing somewhere at the next level.

“I’m leaving my options open, and I’m going to try and make a decision at the end of high school so I can go into the summer with a plan,” Balazovic said. “It’s always been my dream to play at the next level, I’ve worked really hard, and it’s just my goal right now to get on a team somewhere and get an opportunity.”

During his career, Cheboygan senior catcher Dylan Balazovic has worked with many talented pitchers, including current junior Sean Postula (28).
During his career, Cheboygan senior catcher Dylan Balazovic has worked with many talented pitchers, including current junior Sean Postula (28).

No matter what happens next, Balazovic will cherish his final days with a Cheboygan program that helped develop him into a standout on the diamond.

“Coach Baller has done a lot for me, and I love it here,” Balazovic said. “I’ll miss it a lot. I don’t even know if words can explain it. I love the game.”

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: From nervous freshman to senior star, Balazovic a leader with Cheboygan baseball