Recent Homewood-Flossmoor graduate Jesse Forestell watched the Southland Vikings up close and personal over the last few seasons.
Now, the standout catcher will spend his summer competing with the Vikings in the Midwest Collegiate League before heading to play at Western Michigan in the fall.
“I’ve been going to the Southland games for the last few years,” Forestell said. “The owner, Don Popravak, asked me if I’d be interested in playing. I always wanted to play for them. It’s close to home and I’ll get to face some good competition before heading to college.”
The Vikings often feature a few recent high school graduates. Forestell will hone his skills as one of the younger players in the MCL.
“The coaching staff at Western Michigan encouraged me to do it,” Forestell said. “A few of their guys played in the league before. It was really good in helping them develop and get reps. I think it’ll be good for me.”
Forestell joins a notably strong franchise.
The Vikings became the first team in league history to win back-to-back championships last season. This year, however, very few familiar faces are set to return, as is often the case with summer league collegiate baseball.
The Vikings have a new manager (Tony Sanchez), play at a new field (Hap Bruno Field in Chicago Heights) and bring back just a “handful” of players from last year’s championship run, according to Popravak.
Forestell said he’s excited to learn from Sanchez, a former catcher, and expects to split time with Jake Hickey. Hickey played a few games for the Vikings last summer and put up solid numbers catching for South Suburban College, hitting .371 with 54 RBIs.
One player on the roster with a solid grasp of the MCL is relief pitcher Robert Nunn, a 2012 Marian Catholic graduate who currently plays at Western Illinois. Nunn enters his third year with the team.
“I should be one of the more seasoned guys,” Nunn said. “I saw a few familiar faces on the roster, and some new guys I played with or against in high school.”
Nunn said the Vikings offer an enjoyable atmosphere where players can focus on enhancing their skills. He claimed the league gives him a chance to alter his mechanics while he tries to add a few miles per hour to his fastball.
“It’s a great place to come,” Nunn said. “During the regular college season, it’s so long, it’s sometimes hard to incorporate new things into your routine because you’re so focused on winning and performing well. During summer league, you can work on things and improve.
“I had talks with my Western Illinois coach about sending me to different places this summer, but I told my coach I wanted to come back here.”
The Vikings open their season at 5 p.m. Wednesday, hosting the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (1-0). All weekday home games are slated for 5 p.m.
Malloy is a freelance writer.
Vikings at a glance
Last season’s record: 29-12, first place in Midwest Collegiate League for the second straight year
Manager: Tony Sanchez, first season
Players to watch: IF Kendall King (.293 for 2014 Vikings), IF Luis Avila (.354, 54 R, .477 OBP for South Suburban College), IF Sanford Hunt (.262 for Chicago State), P Robert Nunn (4.15 ERA for Western Illinois University), P Matt Sandoval (2.25 ERA for Purdue Calumet), C Jake Hickey (.371, 54 RBIs for South Suburban College), C Jesse Forestell (.493, 23 RBIs for Homewood-Flossmoor), OF Chris Pikoulas (.333 for Lewis University).
League: Wooden bat
Field: Hap Bruno Field in Chicago Heights
Tickets: At the gate; kids 12 and under free
Website: southlandvikings.com
