Sun staff
Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco shared his recipe for success with area youth during the Reds Rookie Success League’s Community Day on June 17. This is the second year Mesoraco has visited the RRSL in Clermont County.
“I always hoped that I would play in the major leagues. I didn’t know how things would pan out, but that was always a goal,” said Mesoraco. “I was lucky enough and worked hard enough to actually be able to do it. So, whenever you do have a goal, just try to keep your mind to it, and sometimes it can work out.”
RRSL is a free, coed summer baseball program for disadvantaged youth that focuses on baseball instruction and character building. It’s one of the outreach programs offered by Cincinnati Reds Community Fund.
“Devin is a really special guy, obviously he’s really good a baseball too and, he’s had a real frustrating spring,” said Community Fund Executive Fund Director Charley Frank as he introduced Mesoraco.
Last year, Mesoraco hit 25 home runs and was part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Team. This year, he’s been unable to play due to injury.
“That’s one of the toughest things about baseball or any sport. You can have things going your way, and then something happens that you’re not planning. You’ve got to figure out a way to get through it, and keep your head high and know that tomorrow’s going to come either way,” said Frank.
“Devin’s one of those guys that’s been able to do that. He’s been able to fight through a really frustrating season and keep his head up,” Frank added.
This year, the RRSL program was offered in Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville, Butler County and Clermont County. The Batavia Township Community Center hosted this year’s Clermont County camp, which ran June 8 to June 18.
The Community Day event was held at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College Student Activity Center due to rain.
Brianna Horn, 11 of Bethel, shared her excitement for the program.
“I think it’s great,” said Horn, whose favorite position to play in baseball is second base.
During the event, Mesoraco, who’s nicknamed “The Groundhog” because he grew up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, played catch with the kids and answered questions from the audience during a question and answer session.
“To have a major leaguer come out and throw me some pop ups when I was younger would’ve been very cool, so I just try to help out as much as I can and show you guys what I know,” said Mesoraco. “I’m glad you guys were very respectful and enjoyed working today.”
The audience asked a lot of questions and Mesoraco shared a lot of information. He said he always wanted to be a catcher, his favorite food is chicken wings, his favorite subject in school was lunch, he turned 27 years old on June 19, he has a dog named Finn, catching a fastball from Aroldis Chapman in the palm of the glove can hurt, he uses a baseball bat made from the wood of a tree at his home in Pennsylvania and his wife’s name is Kira.
The RRRSL of Clermont County is in its fourth year. Local sponsors and partners include the Batavia Township Trustees, University of Cincinnati Clermont College, the Clermont County Commissioners, the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Clermont Chamber of Commerce and more.
“At a business luncheon four years ago, Bob Castellini told me the Reds would be more involved in the eastside,” said Matt Van Sant, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Shortly after that, we met with representatives from the Reds, and then this camp started in Clermont County.”
The camp offers kids an opportunity to learn skills that will help them in the future, Van Sant said.
“This camp is about character building. It’s about how you behave, and that’s what employers are looking for,” he said.