Playing on a big league field is something most high school athletes never experience, but Mount Carmel’s baseball team had that opportunity this season.
On April 23 the Caravan faced Brother Rice High School at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, in a game that gave players and coaches a rare chance to compete in a historic stadium. Although the Caravan did not come out with a win, losing to the Crusaders (insert score), the experience stood out as one of the most memorable moments this season.
Senior third baseman TJ McQuillan was psyched from the moment he found out the team would be playing at Wrigley.
“I was super excited,” McQuillan said. “That is probably one of the coolest stadiums around.” He explained that stepping onto the field was overwhelming at first, adding his heart was beating faster than normal as he tried to stay focused. He noted that he’s been around Wrigley Field since he was a little kid. McQuillan’s’s godfather is the current assistant hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs, so that made the moment even more exciting for him.
Many players grew up attending games at Wrigley Field, which made the experience more meaningful. Starting pitcher Jacob Matise explained that he always dreamed of an experience like this as a little kid.
“I never thought I would be able to play at Wrigley Field before,” Matise said. He described walking onto the mound as a moment of disbelief and he said he focused on taking in the experience. While the setting was unique some players tried to approach the game as normally as possible. “At the end of the day, the field is the same wherever you play at,” Matise said. He added that his goal remained to attack and stay consistent with his usual mindset.
Head coach Brian Hurry also emphasized keeping the team focused.
“I tried to keep it as normal as possible,” Hurry said. He explained that maintaining a routine helped players concentrate on their performance rather than the moment. However, he noted that once the team stepped onto the field the experience became real.
For Coach Hurry, a lifelong Cubs fan, the opportunity carried additional meaning. He said coaching at Wrigley Field was something he never expected and reflected the moment as a personal milestone. Players also pointed out the crowd and atmosphere as a key part of the experience. Matise said the support from those in attendance made the game more memorable and added to the significance of the day. Mostly family and friends came to the game, but what was even more significant was the amount of school spirit that was shown as MC students filled the first-base side of the stands cheering their fellow classmates on.
Despite the loss, the game remains one of the top experiences for many Caravan players, and this will be a moment in the season that the team can cherish for the years to come. Matise said it ranks among his best baseball moments and described it as something he will always remember.
“It is a memory for life,” Matise said.
