Fielder relishes his ‘dirt-bag’ reputation
Stickler’s gritty play and ability to get on base a big asset to Edmonton roster
Being referred to as a “dirt bag” is not the most flattering compliment, but Jordan Stickler loves it.
In fact, he relishes it. It’s what makes him successful on the baseball diamond.
It’s part of the reason why the outfielder earned a spot on the Edmonton Prospects roster for the 2017 Western Major Baseball League season.
He leaves the field with a dirty uniform every chance he gets. He gives it his all every out. Every inning.
“I’ll do anything to get on base,” Stickler said. “I like to run the bases extremely hard and steal a lot of bags. I take a lot of pitches and grind out at-bats. I just love the game of baseball.”
Just how bad did Stickler want to play for the Prospects? He was willing to leave his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., and travel more than 2,700 kilometres to a place he’s never seen for an opportunity for the Prospects coaching staff to take a look at him.
He arrived this week with one shot. No promises. No guarantees.
But the 20-year-old who played the past two years for the University of Dallas Crusaders made quite the impression.
“We love his enthusiasm and intensity,” Prospects head coach Ray Brown said. “He wanted him to come and play for us last year, but we had a full roster and I told him to think about this year.”
Stickler’s persistence paid off. After a breakout season that saw him hit .344, with 42 runs scored and 24 stolen bases, he contacted the Prospects coaching staff again, but he wasn’t promised anything.
“We told him we’d like to have him, but he’d be coming up on a tryout basis,” Brown said. “In order to be an import player on our team, you have to be better than what we have. If you’re as good as a Canadian, we’ll send you home.”
Stickler is likely slotted in as the Prospects’ leadoff hitter when they open their season Friday at home against the Brooks Bombers at Re/ Max Field. He’ll provide stellar defence patrolling the outfield and he shows great poise at the plate. This season Stickler got on base in 39 of 40 games with the Crusaders.
He’s using his opportunity with the Prospects to continue to grow his game in all areas and he has high expectations for himself.
“My goal is to get on base every single game,” Stickler said. “I want to be more aggressive in the counts and hit some doubles and into the gaps where I can utilize my speed.
“I’m going to work hard to play every day. It’s going to be a grind, but I look forward to it.”
A lot of athletes go through some form of adversity at some point in their career and Stickler’s came at a young age.
“My father passed away unexpectedly when I was going into sixth grade,” Stickler said. “He was a big part of my life when it came to sports. He was a three-sport athlete and I wanted to follow in that same path. He had big dreams for me.”
Stickler’s grandfather, Don, stepped up and was a role model after his father’s passing. His grandpa never missed a game, and even when he moved away to college, his grandpa would watch all his games online with his mom Lisa and younger brother Nathan.
They plan to watch all of his games online with the Prospects this summer, too.
“My grandpa has been one of my biggest supporters. He has always been there for us when we needed him,” Stickler said. “He never missed a game back home, and he would wait up late at night no matter the time change and he’d wait for my phone call after the game. He’s always been there to give me advice or support in any way.
“My whole family is excited about this opportunity, I’ve been given. I know they’ll be watching every game, and I already know the texts I’ll be getting from them after every game.”
Stickler’s father, Brad, never got to see his oldest son achieve those big dreams he achieved in recent years. Stickler excelled in the same three sports his dad did in high school, lettering in baseball, basketball and football. He chose baseball because it gave him the best chance to play at the next level and it was his and his father’s favourite sport.
“Growing up, any time I had a big game coming up, I would go to the cemetery and talk to him,” Stickler said. “It’s never easy losing a parent, especially at a young age. I had to be strong for my family. I had to experience a lot on my own and overcome any obstacles that are part of becoming a man, and I just tried my best.
“Every time I step on the field, I want to honour him.”