MLB Experience Awaits EMU Alum

For the second straight year Erik Kratz ,'02 EMU alum, will be reporting to the Toronto Blue Jays major league training camp in Dunedin, Florida.

Although this is his sixth overall trip to Florida since being drafted in the 29th round in 2002, trips to major league camp are still special.

With the winter weather becoming more brutal everyday, it is time for many sports fans to map out their annual trip to Florida. For Kratz, this yearly pilgrimage is much more than an escape to warmer temperatures.

"I've made the trip every year," says Kratz. "It's a different level of excitement when you get to play with the big guys." This year the "big guys" include all-star Vernon Wells, Cy Young award winning pitcher Roy Halladay, and newly acquired slugger Frank Thomas, just to name a few.

It has certainly been a long road for Kratz since his playing days at EMU. "I came to EMU knowing I wasn't good enough to really be looked at as a professional player. I knew the only way to get looked at, was to get the opportunity to play, and that opportunity was at EMU." Four years later, Kratz had caught every pitch of every game the team had played and broke the NCAA Division III record for doubles, among other honors.

He does not look at his accomplishments as an individual effort, "Around the time I joined the team, we picked up many other good players who helped with the success of the team and contributed to the success I had," says Kratz. Whatever the reasons, his ability was noticed by many scouts. "After my junior year I remember thinking, hey, there might be a for chance this to happen."

Kratz's dream became reality in 2002, and he has been all over the country playing baseball for the Toronto organization ever since. After all this success, Kratz still looks forward to the beginning of baseball season with the anxiousness of a 10 year old waiting for little league to start. "As soon as the Super Bowl ends and the commercials for baseball season start popping up—that's when the excitement really kicks in." This year, the season begins before Super Sunday for Kratz because he will be leaving for Florida on February 1.

This year's trip south has another new twist for Kratz. His wife Sarah and his two-month old son Brayden will be accompanying him this time around. Does having a young child change Kratz's plan for his future in baseball? "Hey, I've thought about it. My wife and I are committed to this and we realize the magnitude of the opportunity I have here. I'm just excited to have a third passenger for the trip."

Most of all, Kratz realizes this trip is simply "sweet." "You get a bunch of cool gear, you feel like a big leaguer, and the 75 degree weather doesn't hurt."