For many athletes, their sport career starts when they enter middle school or early in high school. However, some athletes’ careers begin early in their childhood, and FCHS baseball pitcher Andrew Ward began playing at the age of four. His parents were the ones who originally got him involved in baseball, entering him into recreational leagues. From there, he transitioned onto travel teams. Ward’s interest piqued in the game when colleges began taking note of his own talent and skill in the game, talking to him and watching him play.

Now a freshman in high school, Ward has many years of experience and memories under his belt. With each new travel team comes new friends and chances to grow. Some of Ward’s favorite memories are meeting new people and interacting with college coaches.

Ward said his favorite memory of baseball “would probably have to be the time I played on the Red Sox field in front of people and different college coaches. It was really cool.” From playing on the Red Sox field, to talking with the University of Virginia (UVA) baseball coach, Ward has been recognized as a skillful baseball pitcher and outfielder.

Yet, as any athlete knows, there comes a certain risk in playing the sport one loves, and that is the risk of injury. Like countless others, Ward has been thrown this “curveball” too. Being a pitcher has put extra stress on his elbow, affecting the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The surgery to fix this problem is called a Tommy John. Ward had the Tommy John surgery recently, and now faces 18 months of recovery. In total, he will be out of baseball for about two years. As an athlete who enjoys the sport he plays, Ward has found this to be his biggest struggle in the game.

Despite his struggles, Ward said, “A quote that has inspired me is a Bible verse. It is from Philippians 4:13. The verse says, ‘I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.’”

Through the hard times and the ups and downs of playing a sport, many athletes may give up when the going gets tough, but Andrew Ward is determined to pursue his baseball career into college and return to the game after recovery. The decision to persevere, as Ward is doing, may be what separates the good athletes from the great ones.