Upper Deck Baseball is going on their sixth year of operation. The program is expanding exponentially having had six teams last year and ten this year. That is 134 players! They started the building process after a very successful fundraiser in 2020, which afforded them this opportunity to purchase the land which they are currently developing into their new field. We are growing, and “It’s very exciting!” said Coach Shane Vigus.
Having their own turf has been what’s been missing from the program, says Vigus, “It’s been that one thing that has been missing and possibly holding us back.” Upper Deck Baseball has done a lot of traveling and has tried to work with the city on another field, but in the end, it was getting their own field that will make the most difference. “First off, to have our own field is great for the kids. We can personalize it for them. 13-U 14-U, 16-U (15- & 16-year-olds). It kind of finalizes our program, in a way,” said Vigus.
This being season six, Vigus explained that he started from the “top down.” Starting with the 18-U team, specifically seniors who have the dream or desire to play college ball. This is how his vision started, and it’s still the basis of Coach Vigus’s overall enthusiasm for all who play with Upper Deck Baseball. They had five seniors play the first year and four wanted to play college ball, so they did. The next year it was five out of five, and now after five seasons it’s reported by Vigus that, “We have had 18 kids go onto play college ball.” Their scout exposure is either through the internet or through the many games they play at more connected locations.
Having played college ball himself, Coach Vigus believes it’s “…so important because once they go to college, they become part of a ‘family.’ Most times these kids go away from home and are at a new college and alone. When they sign to play college baseball, they become part of a huge family that is there to help them achieve their goals and graduate college with a degree. Graduating college with a degree is obviously the main goal, and if you get to play baseball while achieving that goal, all the better! This is why I have started this team and devote so much of my time to these kids. It is tough being away from my family, but I have a great support system at home and am able to balance my time with both my family and baseball family. These kids really do become family…my own children even refer to my players as my baseball boys. But really my personal goal is to get all my kids college scholarships or at least opportunities to play at the college level. I just thank God for my family, the opportunities he has given me, and the success I’ve had helping my players reach the next level…go Expos!”
Upper Deck Baseball is starting out younger teams to give them the opportunity to improve through the program and play with the same group of kids, developing a strong foundation. Eventually joining Vigus in the 18-U team where he will continue to nurture the talents already developed by [them] and get the players the exposure needed to play college baseball. A handful of players are from the Shepherd/Huntley Project area.
The new field is right next door to Beartooth Elementary in the Heights. They just finished leveling it. The excavation went down where the infield is going be. It’s about down 6-8” for drainage. Drive by and take a look; while you’re at it, think about sponsoring the field, or concession stand or an outfield fence.
