The 2022 Ocean State Waves, of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, have a roster full of top collegiate baseball talent from some of the best college baseball programs in the USA. Players travel from all over the country, stay with host families, play in a highly competitive environment game after game in front of scouts and fans, and become a part of the Waves community from roughly the end of May/early June until sometime in August. This 2022 Waves team is absolutely stacked with baseball talent, take a look at this photo posted on the Ocean State Waves Instagram page. It showcases the college programs that will be represented this summer in the Waves dugout. Very impressive!!!

I am very excited to introduce you to these 2022 Ocean State Waves players, one at a time. This is the next installment of a long series of interviews I have done with the incoming players slated to play for the 2022 Ocean State Waves. The players answered questions on their baseball journey, their mentors and childhood baseball heroes, the process of going from top high school talent to collegiate student athlete, and what their expectations are for their Spring and Summer Baseball seasons. Next up, from Newburgh, Indiana and Belmont University – Brodey Heaton.

Tell me a little bit about your baseball roots starting with your local Little League and then
possibly your AAU or travel ball. What was that experience like?

• I started by playing in the local Little League until I was 11 years old, and then after that I played for the Indiana Bulls travel organization. It was a great experience to play with some of the best players in Indiana and compete against some of the best players in the country.

Think back, what is your earliest memory of baseball? A catch with a sibling, your first hit, a trip to an MLB or Minor League game?

• My earliest memory of baseball is hitting in the front yard with my parents.

If you would like to, name some of your baseball and life mentors who helped you along the way.

• My dad, my hitting coach Andy Miller, and my high school coach Curt Welch have been some the best mentors for both baseball and life.

Did you have a favorite ballpark growing up that you played in or saw a game at?

• My favorite ballpark to see a game at was Yankee Stadium.

What was your primary position in youth baseball, high school?

• I have played first base for basically my whole life.

Were you a talented player from the start or did your success come gradually throughout your youth playing days?

• I was talented from the beginning, but I was also the youngest on every team I played on so I had to work at it.

Did you play multiple sports growing up or did you focus primarily on baseball? Do/Did you see a benefit to playing multiple sports?

• I played basketball and football growing up and there were multiple benefits in terms of gaining athleticism and understanding the importance of practice.

Brag a little bit, what would you say was your best game? Could be a Little League game or High School game or something more recent.  What made this game stand out in your mind?

• My best game came in Little League when I had a 3 home run game. 

You are from Newburgh, Indiana and now attend Belmont University.  I’m fairly confident you received offers from schools outside of your home state.  What was it about the Belmont baseball program that interested you to play there?

• What made Belmont stick out was the chance to get a good education in a great city, and also have a chance to play for a good program.

Academically, where are you headed degree wise, and down the road maybe career wise?

• I am about to graduate with a degree in data science, and will start the masters of sports administration next year.

Is this your first summer of collegiate baseball or did you play in previous summers?  If so, which league(s) and for what team(s)?

• Because of Covid and injuries, this will be my first true summer ball experience.

Play scout for a moment. What should Waves fans know about your game? Are you a power pitcher? Home run power? Going to lead the league in steals? On base percentage guy?

• I have good power and play a pretty good first base.

The Ocean State Waves have an incredible legacy of community service work with local youth baseball leagues, schools, and other local non-profits.  Can you give me an example of a non-profit or charity that you have done community service work for and why did you choose that charity?

• We have worked with the Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch at Belmont that helps families affected by childhood cancer and it is a great experience to help out every year.

Where can Waves fans find you this upcoming collegiate baseball season at (insert your school) and follow you this Spring?

• Belmont University
• Brodey Heaton – Instagram
• Brodey Heaton – Twitter

And stay tuned each week for another Waves roster player profile and as always, any Waves news and notes to keep you up to date on their 2022 summer baseball season.

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