Hemmy O’Brien and Steele Arnold played in the Colorado all-state high school baseball games last week, where more than 1,000 kids came together at Riverdale Ridge High School in Thornton, CO. Head coach for the Mustangs Randy Gabriel had submitted recommendations for the two recent Nucla High School graduates, and the Dugout Club did select them. They also slated Gabriel to help coach the all-state games.
Gabriel is a member of the Dugout Club, and he told the Forum the organization runs nearly everything for baseball in Colorado.
O’Brien and Arnold played their first game June 2 with 29 other kids in 1A and 2A baseball. O’Brien had two base hits with RBIs. The guys played again June 3 for the Western Slope team against the Frontier league. Arnold played seven different positions in that game.
On June 5, Arnold also played in the Top 50 game against, and with, the best players in the state — some from 5A schools. Full of players committed to D-1 colleges this fall for baseball, Gabriel said the Top 50 game showcased incredible talent with pitchers throwing at 90 miles an hour or more.
That game, Arnold played left, right and center outfield. He almost had a great catch, and he did get a hit that game too.
While he met a lot of new people, Arnold also saw friends he’s had for years.
“I met old club teammates, and it was cool to meet and talk to all those guys and figure out where they’ll go,” he said.
The San Miguel Basin Forum congratulated Arnold on his last baseball games, only Arnold said baseball may not be over for him just yet. While he’s signed a commitment to play for Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, this fall for basketball, there is now a chance that he can play baseball there too.
“I would definitely do it,” he said.
When the Ottawa baseball coach returns home from the college world series this week, he’ll know more.
Gabriel, who also coached the Top 50 game, said the all-state game experience was a great one. He knows many of the coaches, like Rocky Rockwell from Limon, who’s been to four straight championships, and Dayne Eaton, of Holly.
“The baseball crew is close,” he said. “It’s like a fraternity, and we are there for the kids. And, it’s less stressful than some other sports.”
Gabriel added he’s grateful to Kelly Arnold for taking this year’s all-state players around during their childhoods to play club baseball. He said those experiences provided an avenue for the guys.
Arnold agreed he was grateful that he worked hard in his younger years, and his advice to aspiring players is to play summer baseball and join club. He said it’s worth it.
“It could be a pretty penny, but if you want that exposure, and to hang with those guys, you have to be able to play at that higher level,” he said. “If you don’t play summers, you could stay stagnant.”
Arnold confirmed he and O’Brien are great friends. O’Brien leaves for the U.S. Marines July 8.
