Sayre's Nick Skerpon ready to continue his baseball career.
By: Tim Birney | Towanda Daily Review | May 16, 2013 | Photo courtesy Tim Birney
2013 NTL and District 4 News
SAYRE - Senior Nick Skerpon has longed dreamed of playing in the Major Leagues.
He's hoping he took the first step toward fulfilling that dream Tuesday when he signed a letter-of-intention to play collegiately at Louisburg College - a junior college powerhouse in North Carolina.
Skerpon passed up opportunities to play at Division I schools North Carolina-Ashville and Appalachian State as a preferred walk-on after watching his cousin Taylor Skerpon do the same thing at Penn State.
"I saw what Taylor did. He was a great athlete and did the preferred walk-on thing at Penn State. He didn't get the time right away and I took that into consideration.
"I'm the type of kid who wouldn't be happy if I wasn't playing," said Skerpon.
He also points out that junior college players don't face the same restrictions Division 1 players face.
"Junior college provides me a lot of opportunities," said Skerpon. "You're not locked in there for even two years. If I do well and have the opportunity, I could transfer into a Division I or Division II school after my first year.
"I'm not saying this is going to happen, but I could even get drafted after my first year there," he said.
"It gave me opportunities and I'm not the type of person who could stay at a school for four years if I wasn't fully happy," added Skerpon.
Why Louisburg in particular?
"I love the South and I love the Carolinas - that definitely drew me to that area.
"The program is very well known," said Skerpon. "When I was a sophomore, my travel team played at Louisburg.
"They're a powerhouse junior college and they're ranked nationally every year," he said. "Knowing that they're a respected and well-known program and that I'll get just as many looks as those other two (D-1) schools made it easier."
The collegiate season is a 50-plus game season as opposed to the 20 games he played in high school, but his travel ball schedule in recent years has prepared him for the added load.
"High school ball was always fun for me. It was always a great start to the season for me, playing with my friends.
"Since my sophomore year, the college search has been very aggressive for me. I've been very fortunate to play on some very good travel teams," said Skerpon. "This past summer, I played for All-Star Baseball Academy and head coach Mike Manning.
"Coach Manning actually called Louisburg's coach and he had the opportunity to see me play this summer at UNC's Chapel Hill Field. We spoke a little bit and the rest is history.
"This summer, I'll be playing for a team out of New York City and I'll be even busier - playing from June to August. Playing in big tournaments and against great competition.
"These travel teams are great for all the kids," added Skerpon. "They've really helped me out because in those 18 or 20 (high school) games, I don't get a lot of at-bats."
One of the main reason Skerpon chose the junior college route is his desire to stay true to his dream of playing in the Majors.
"I think if I didn't have the dream, I wouldn't be taking this approach. If I had just wanted to play college baseball and then hang up the cleats, I probably would have taken the preferred walk-on spot, got my degree and said I played Division I.
"I have to prepare the best I can to be in the best position I can to get drafted," said Skerpon. "Any kid who plays this game ⦠I want to play in the Majors. I want to walk up those stairs and on to the field one day and say I made it."
At 5-9, Skerpon lacks the prototypical size of a Major Leaguer, but he knows size isn't everything.
"I'm a Yankees fan, but I'm not gonna lie. Ever since Dustin Pedroia busted on the scene with the Red Sox, I've been a big fan.
"He's a little dude that can smash," said Skerpon. "In the back of your head, I'm thinking 'this is a little guy and look where he is.'
"There are three guys I really respect in the game of baseball: Pete Rose, Dustin Pedroia and now Bryce Harper.
"They play the game hard, the way I like to play it," added Skerpon. "I'll do anything I can to win, anything to help the team to win.
"I'm very fortunate to have parents who have supported me and I'm very thankful for everything they've done for me," he said of his parents - Bill and Kim Skerpon.
Bill Skerpon said he believes his son is on the right track.
"I think it's great. I think it's all going to pay off.
"I look at baseball a lot differently these days. I've seen how hard you have to work to get even to this level," said the elder Skerpon. "(North Carolina) is where he's always wanted to play and he'll be right in the back yard of all those major colleges, where he would love to play.
"I like his approach. He'll get at least one year under his belt playing ball at a smaller school. I think that will help, at a big school you can get lost," he added.
Kim Skerpon is proud of her son for chasing his dream.
"I'm very proud of my son and the young man he's grown into. I know if he keeps up the work ethic he's displayed since he was a little boy, his dream will come true some day.
"I'm gonna be sad he's so far away, but that's been his dream since he was little and I'm glad he's going after it.
"His father and I and his sister will get down to watch a few games," she added. "I'm very proud of him."
Skerpon is preparing for life without baseball, however.
"I always have Plan Bs," said Skerpon. "I'll get my associate's degree in Business from Louisburg. My sister (Sarah) is a double-major in management and marketing, so I'll probably end up taking one of those as well," he said.
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