GROTON – The Big Stick is ready for another big state baseball tournament.
After winning the Class B Big Stick award at last year’s Class B State American Legion Baseball Tournament, Groton’s Carter Simon returned as a super senior this summer and helped the Tigers get back to the state tourney for the third year in a row.
Because of where his birthday falls and the rules of Legion ball, Simon was able to return as a part of Groton’s summer team. For him it was a no-brainer, especially after the season the squad had last year.
“I just love baseball. Last year we got like fourth or fifth at state and I wanted to come back, see if we could do it again,” said Simon. “Help out the team anyways possible and see how far we can go.”
And they did it again, qualifying for another state tournament. Part of that was due to Simon’s bat posting a .410 batting average, a 1.165 OPS with four home runs.
How was the super senior able to come back after a year of being a student at Northern and pick up where he left off last season?
“Some of the guys would go to the dome in Aberdeen and hit and stuff, and I’d go with them. I was always working out so a lot of my time was school, working out, and going to the dome,” said Simon. “Keeping your arm nice, not so sore when you come back. And you don’t feel like you lost it, like in golf. You just feel like you lost it when you’re in your first round back, so yeah, it’s nice to stay warm.”
He also stayed in shape taking part in Northern’s intramural program getting some competition.
“I’m just out there getting my exercise,” Simon said, “but I’m a competitive guy, so I’m gonna take it serious.”
Coming back off an extraordinary state tournament last year, Simon remembers winning the Big Stick award and hopes someone else from Groton can come away with it this year.
“That was pretty cool. See if someone from Groton can do it again this year. That’d be pretty sweet,” Simon said. “But it was a pretty cool experience all around.”
Carter says that his bat strength helps him find success, even though opponents can almost predict where the balls are going to go.
“I mean, I pull the ball pretty hard,” Simon said. “I hit like three balls to the opposite side of the field this year, so I’m always getting around it.”
Although he’s putting up another stellar season, he steps into a different role because of the age gap.
“I feel like my roles changed a little bit, definitely because I’m way older than the other guys,” said Simon. “Last year, I felt like I was with four other guys that I was comfortable with and we kind of led the team, but this year now, I’m with a new group of guys, so it’s different for sure.”
And being that older guy on the roster, he has helped to set the standard for the younger guys, and seen it come to fruition.
“Some other guys have stepped up for sure and helped gotten the guys to hit in the cage in their free time taking reps,” Simon said. “It’s been good with the other guys.”
Groton is known for its pitching rotation, which was on display in the region. Simon now hopes the team can get the bats rolling at the same time.
“We let up like four or five runs during regions in four games, I think. So that’s, I would say that’s definitely our strongest point,” Simon said. “I mean all nine guys on our team can hit the ball, it’s just a matter of when. So, if we can get on our bats, we’re pretty solid.”
Groton will face Garretson in the opening round at 5 tonight in Madison.
Once the tournament’s over, Simon will transfer to South Dakota State to continue his education, where he will major in business economics and participate in intramural sports.
Before then, Simon wants to add to a baseball resume that reflects more on the town’s baseball program than himself.
“I just want to be the kid that helped get Groton to three state tournaments,” Simon said. “I want to be known for what our team has accomplished, not more of like an individual thing.”
