For the Love of the Game: Mason McCoy

EAST PEORIA — In most cases, sports are just a hobby that people partake in during their spare time and there are others who spend a little more time than the average hobbyist. But then there is a completely separate class who literally surround themselves with the sport and it is a part of their identity.

Illinois Central College freshmen baseball player Mason McCoy is one of the few who meets the standards for that special class. Baseball is much more than a game to McCoy; it is a way of life. “Baseball means everything to me. It has been apart of my life ever since I was little,” said McCoy.

McCoy was born exactly 19 years ago today and was raised in Washington, Ill. by his parents Josh and Misty McCoy, both who also grew up in Washington and came from athletic backgrounds. When they signed McCoy up for NTRA tee-ball when he was five years old, it was clear that the athleticism was passed onto him. While most five-year-olds have a difficult time determining the difference between first and third base, McCoy understood the game more than the rest. He would smack the ball to the outfield and run around all the bases before the other team could even get to the ball. Everybody in attendance knew McCoy was blessed with a God-given baseball talent and that he had a promising future ahead of him.

Indeed it was just the starting block for his baseball career and everyday since he has been working hard towards improving every aspect of his game. That hard work is supported by his long list of accomplishments.

At Washington Community High School, McCoy was immediately moved up from the freshmen to the Varsity team. Coaches presented him with the opportunity to earn a starting shortstop position, which he  executed perfectly.

At the end of his freshmen year he was chosen for the All-Conference and All-Area Team along with an invite to the McDonald’s All-Star Game. His success continued his final three years at Washington where he graduated with four All Conference Team selections, four All-Area Team selections, four McDonald’s All Star-Game appearances and an All-State Team selection his senior season. McCoy engraved his name into the history books at Washington and left with many everlasting memories.

“My most memorable moment wearing the Panther logo was during regionals when I hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the 7th against Morton. We were down by one run at the time and came back to win the game,” said McCoy.

The recruitment letters McCoy was receiving were filling his mailbox, but after a campus visit there was one school that felt like the perfect fit. “The ICC baseball program has always caught my eye because of how good of a job the coaches do. I have known former players who have played here and gone on to play at other big schools and that has always been my dream. I knew that they would get me where I wanted to be,” said McCoy.

There is no such thing as an off day for McCoy. He uses every single day to find tiny flaws in his game that need to be patched. A key strength that helps minimize some of those flaws is his willingness to retain constructive criticism from coaches and family.    A combination of pure-talent, coach ability and rare passion that McCoy holds for the game of baseball are the exact qualities recruiters look for at the professional level. It is impossible to teach these qualities, his “driven” determination and love for the game are rare artifacts that many would kill to possess.