Check Swing - OUA ALUM KEKATOS THRIVING WITH CARDS

By Carlos Verde  - Photo @ethsimages

Scanning lineup cards, it’s easy to get lost in the lustre of foreign talent and affiliated connections: This power bat played Double-A here, that starter threw for a good D-1 school there.

Penciled quietly into the second slot of the Hamilton Cardinals’ lineup, however, is a player with a different pathway: Niko Kekatos, University of Toronto.

The Cards’ swiss-army knife is a testament to the fact that ballplayers can be found right here at home.

“Talent is everywhere, and I represent hard for the OUA,” smiled Kekatos, who is hitting well over .300 in his debut IBL campaign. “There are so many opportunities that can arise if you play baseball here in Canada, and people are consistently surprised how good the talent is that stays at home.”

Kekatos starred at the University of Toronto, not far from the Scarborough diamonds — Heron Park in West Hill, Wishing Well Park under the shadow of the 401 — on which he grew up.

“It was a very good educational school, and my brother played there too so I knew how they run their baseball stuff,” reflected the 22 year-old. “Pursuing baseball there was an easy decision, and we went undefeated (and) won the championship in my rookie year.

“For three years, we were very good (and) it was the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball.”

Word spread about the Varsity Blues' exploits, and despite coming from the quieter confines of the Ontario circuit several players found opportunities.

“A lot of people heard how well our team was doing — not just me, but a bunch of other guys from there are also pursuing baseball,” explained Kekatos. “Whether it be the Western League, playing in the IBL, a lot of doors opened because we were with the Varsity Blues.”

After two strong summer seasons in the Western League with Fort McMurray and Weyburn, he is back in Ontario and immediately making a difference as a rookie in Hamilton.

Away from the ballpark, he works with the Baseball Deveopment Group — passionate about helping the next generation fulfill its potential, while also serving as a shining example of what is possible here at home.

“My life, outside of playing baseball, is still surrounded by the game — it’s what I’ve been doing my whole life, and what I hope to continue to be involved with forever,” reflected Kekatos. “I’ve had a very unique journey in the game, staying in Ontario, and I hope that I can give confidence to some of those younger kids that hey, the States isn’t necessarily the absolute end game, you can stay in Ontario and be as talented as everyone around you.”

On Wednesday in Toronto, Niko Kekatos slotted into the lineup between Yolki Pena and Brendan Nicoll — a Colorado Rockies farmhand and NCAA Division-II star, respectively.

The Varsity Blues alum went 3-for-4, scoring a pair of runs and raising his batting average to .357 in the process. As talented, indeed.