Every time Anthony Flatt plays baseball, he feels like he’s on a field of dreams.
A senior first baseman/catcher, Flatt is a starter for the talent-loaded Jackson High School baseball team. He grew up in Olympia but moved to Mill Creek in the sixth grade and quickly developed strong bonds
with his peers in the Mill Creek Little League. Many of those young athletes also played with Flatt in the Seattle Stars select program and currently play alongside Flatt at Jackson High.
Flatt’s longstanding baseball relationships make every inning an experience to savor.
“I just enjoy it. It’s fun going out (on the field) with the guys, always being around that solid group of people,” Flatt said.
Flatt has helped Jackson surge to a 7-0 record this season, through games played last week. In addition to having a potent lineup and solid pitching, the Timberwolves are laid-back and remain calm even in potentially tense situations, Flatt said.
“We’re not the group to be really uptight,” said Flatt. “We’re really relaxed and enjoy being around each other.”
Coach’s corner
As a freshman, Flatt was one of the last players to avoid getting cut from Jackson’s program. He didn’t become a varsity starter until midway through last season, but the dedicated senior steadily improved throughout his career.
“Lifting, running — he does everything that you have to do to get better as an athlete,” Jackson coach Kirk Nicholson said. “All the guys on the team see him as a leader because of his work ethic. He’s all about helping other players.”
Mixing it up
Asked if he has a preference between playing first base and catcher, Flatt said: “I like them both. Catcher is definitely more involved. You’re like the quarterback of the baseball team, calling everything. But I like first base because you get to relax (a bit) more … and it definitely gives your body a break.”
Swing away
The key to being a great hitter is repetition, said Flatt, who hits four to five days per week, including Jackson practices and sessions at the Seattle Stars facility in Mukilteo. Flatt had this advice for younger hitters: “Don’t get frustrated, because when you get frustrated you struggle. You’re not going to produce every day. You’re (realistically) going to fail seven of out 10 times. You definitely have to (realize) you’re going to fail, but you need to be (focused) and you need to persistent.”
On the gridiron
Baseball is Flatt’s favorite sport, but he also played football for Jackson. He was a linebacker and tight end.
Dream job
Flatt, who said he has a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average, has taken sports medicine classes at Jackson. He aspires to become an athletic trainer or a physical therapist. “I like being hands-on,” Flatt said.
Favorite movie
“The Sandlot” (1993). “That’s definitely a classic baseball movie,” Flatt said about the sports flick, which follows the adventures of young baseball newbie Scotty Smalls and the friends he makes during his first summer in Los Angeles in the early 1960s.
Crank it up
When it comes to music, Flatt has an eclectic taste. “I like pretty much everything. I go from country to rap to rock. My iPod’s filled with random songs,” he said. If Flatt ever finds enough time, he wants to learn to play guitar, especially Jack Johnson songs.
Cruisin’
If he could take a trip anywhere, Flatt would go on a cruise to the Caribbean. The idea sounded particularly appealing to Flatt during his interview with The Herald, which took place in Jackson’s gym on Friday because the T-wolves’ game was rained out.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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