Vici High School ‘s Eli Harrel
Before he ever digs into the batter’s box or toes the rubber for Vici High School, junior Eli Harrel is already running through the game in his head. That mental edge is what he believes separates a solid third baseman from a great one.
“When you play third, you constantly have scenarios running through your head, whether it is covering a bunt or catching a scorcher off the bat,” Harrel said. “Most of the balls hit to third base are hit hard, and you have to think and be quick on your feet to make a play.”
Harrel, a junior for the Indians, leans on a strong support system to keep raising his standard. He said his parents, grandparents and coaches all play a role in pushing him forward. “It is their words of encouragement and support that inspire me to practice every day to become the best version of myself,” he said.
In the classroom, Harrel gravitates toward English and points to teacher and coach Mr. Sander as a key figure in his growth. “He challenges me in the classroom and the weight room, and his teaching and coaching has made me a better athlete and student,” Harrel said.
Harrel’s approach to the game includes a respect for how it should be played. He said his favorite unwritten rule is simple: do not spike anyone with your cleats while sliding on the base paths. He has seen tempers flare at the professional level when that line is crossed and believes it has no place in high school baseball.
At the plate, Harrel looks for a high inside fastball, the pitch he says produces his loudest contact. With quick hands, he loves to “turn on” that pitch and drive it for extra-base power.
What matters most, though, is the bond inside the Vici dugout. In a small school where most teammates share classes, Harrel said that familiarity builds chemistry and sets a standard for younger players. He credits freshman Aries as the loud voice from the dugout,
Tate as the teammate who keeps everyone laughing and nominates freshman David Randall as a rising standout with “through the roof” talent on the mound and at the plate.
Away from school, Harrel spends his time hunting, fishing, working out and helping on his family’s ranch — and he is always up for a trip to the gym or batting cage. Athletics, he said, has already given him life skills in teamwork and determination that he plans to carry long after his last high school game.
