Playing for the Battle Jacks a 'dream come true' for former Marshall star Cooper Middleton
Growing up in Marshall, Cooper Middleton spent plenty of time in Battle Creek watching baseball games at C.O. Brown Stadium.
Now that he is playing games at that same venue, now called MCCU Field, he is taking the time to cherish every inning.
Middleton, a former Marshall High School standout, calls MCCU Field at Bailey Park home in a couple different ways — playing collegiately at Kellogg Community College and now wearing the Battle Creek Battle Jacks uniform.
"Being from the area, coming to Bombers games in the summer, back in the day, was kind of a regular thing. I had a birthday here one time," Middleton said. "When I found out I was going to be here to play for the Battle Jacks in the same stadium, I told my parents that this was kind of a dream-come-true type thing. Because I remember being at these games as a kid.
"And now, to get to experience it and have other little kids look up to you, it's pretty cool. It's one of the best parts about it."
After two seasons at KCC, Middleton jumped at the chance to play summer collegiate baseball in the Northwoods League for the Battle Jacks. Getting to stay close to home and still getting a chance to improve and get invaluable experience has been a big bonus.
"It's a lot of fun to be able to stay in this same ballpark," Middleton said. "I loved playing here at KCC. Not a lot of jucos have a stadium this nice. So fortunate to have a coupe of seasons here with Kellogg, and now get to be here still in the summer and have a lot of the home fans here to watch me. It's been a lot of fun."
Middleton, who is signed on a temporary contract while the Battle Jacks wait on some other players to still join the roster, has shared time at catcher, getting in for nearly half of the games for a Battle Creek squad that is still looking to hit its stride.
The experience against some of the top college players in the country has been invaluable.
"Cool thing about this league is there a lot of good players from all over," Middleton said. "Guys from Power 5s, big schools, so you get to compete against some of the best every day. This is one of the best summer leagues in the country, so it's been a great experience."
Battle Jacks head coach Chris Clark talked about the advantages of having local talent on the roster as Middleton is joined by Kellogg CC teammates Gavin Beuter, Kane Elmy and Jacob Spencer.
"It's been great having a local school to send us guys, and those guys have been awesome," Clark said. "You want to get kids from good programs and those guys represent Kellogg and the city really well.
"Cooper has made tremendous strides since being here. Done a really good job through his time being here. Super happy with him."
Middleton was signed for half of the season and will play his final games for the Battle Jacks next week. From there, he is still figuring out his next steps, including what college he will sign with following his time with KCC, and if he will play more this summer.
"Been getting a lot playing time," Middleton said. "Every time I go out on the field, I try to make the most out of it, because it all goes by in a blink of an eye. Just trying to get the most out of the experience. Get everything I can out of it and not have any regrets when I am done."
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Playing for Battle Jacks a 'dream come true' for Marshall's Middleton
