Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Dennis Semrau

Wissports.net

 

There are two common perceptions about becoming a Major League baseball player that have been revealed over the years.



One, tie your child s right arm down and make them throw left-handed. If you are left-handed and can breathe, you have a chance to pitch in the big leagues until you are 40.



Two, Mama, let your babies grow up to be catchers.



Every Major League general manager, including Doug Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers, complains about the dearth of quality catchers. They will be hoping to uncover a diamond or two behind the plate during next month s first-year free agent player draft.



For every Pudge Rodriguez, a future Hall of Famer recognized as a complete player, you have a Mike Piazza, who was in the lineup simply for his bat.



In scouring the state of Wisconsin for catching excellence, two of the best catchers in Wisconsin hail from the same conference -- Eau Claire Memorial's Will Fadness and Hudson's Chase Graskewicz.



"It s cool to have someone to compare your self to and to strive to compete against," Fadness said. "I like catching because you get to be a leader and call the shots. It s fun to play against someone who approaches the game the way you do."



The duo recently met when the Old Abes won 5-3 in Hudson to vault past the Raiders into first place in the Big Rivers Conference. Graskewicz homered for Hudson.



While Fadness and Graskewicz both excel defensively, they can also swing the bat.



As of May 13, the powerful Fadness was hitting .543, with five doubles, six home runs, 14 walks, and 23 RBI. Meanwhile, Graskewicz was hitting a solid .357 with two doubles, two home runs, 14 walks, and 15 RBI.



The Brewers Jason Kendall is often criticized for his lack of production on offense but you ve got to love him simply because he is the ‘Cal Ripken of the position in the game today.



Kendall led the majors last season and set a Milwaukee franchise record with 149 starts.



Eau Claire Memorial head coach Dave Sparger said Fadness and Graskewicz have a similar work ethic that makes it a pleasure to watch them both play the game.



"They call great games, you aren't going to run on them," he said. "Both catchers have a great amount of talent. They both hit for power and average."



You won t get an argument from Hudson head coach Ryan Huppert either.

 

"It's just fun to see them both go out there and battle," he said. "It's definitely fun to see to them play."



Huppert said the duo s talent and ability to play the game at a very high level makes them both special. But he added that what makes them both unique at the high school level is their love for the game.



"They play the game the right way. They work hard on the field, hustle at all times, work well with their teammates and are respectful to all," Huppert said. "They are also both are very good leaders on the field. They understand the game so well, and they just flat out love to play."



While they are eager to head to college and compete at the next level, Huppert said it is fun to watch two competitors who truly enjoy playing the game.



"They enjoy competing and being at the ball park," he said. "It is special to see two of the very best ball players in the state compete. Everyone at the ball park knows when Will or Chase is at the plate. That s exciting."



Fadness, who plans to attend South Mountain Community College, a Division I junior college in Phoenix, Ariz., said he has plenty to work on.



"I especially feel myself improving behind the plate," he said. "Defensively, I worked a lot in the offseason, blocking balls and being quick with my hands, but you know, as usual, you got to hit in the offseason, too.



Like Fadness, Graskewicz, who has accepted a baseball scholarship from Kansas State, would like to play pro ball some day, too.



While there is a chance the duo could be drafted during the Major League Baseball first-year free-agent draft next month, Fadness has more important things to think about.



‘We ve had a lot of success and I d like to get back to state," he said of the Old Abes, who lost to eventual state champion Kenosha Bradford in the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinals last year. "I m just focusing on my senior season and working on improving my skills. Then we ll see what happens."

[email=dsemrau@madison.com]dsemrau@madison.com[/email]