Yorkville Athlete Faces Dilemma Between Baseball and Football

Yorkville junior Bryce Baxa finds himself facing a significant decision as he considers the next step in his athletic career. The choice between baseball and football presents a challenging yet rewarding problem. In July, Baxa split his focus between varsity football summer camp with the Foxes and travel baseball tournaments with Team Elite, based in North Aurora.

Baxa, fresh from a game of water balloon dodgeball organized by Yorkville coach Dan McGuire to close out camp, reflected on his future. “It’s too early to say right now,” Baxa commented, noting that college recruiters might wait for his performance footage from the upcoming season. “Baseball or football? I think he’s good enough to do either one,” said McGuire. “And I think he’s definitely Division I in football.”

During a Southwest Prairie Conference game, Baxa played a crucial role, showcasing his skills by fielding a grounder and securing an out against Oswego East. His impressive performance last season as a defensive tackle earned all-conference honors, and he is set for a visit to Kansas State. Baxa, whose primary position in baseball is catcher, also contributes as a pitcher and designated hitter.

The path to varsity sports was filled with challenges and surprises for the 6-foot-2, 225-pound athlete. “Our offensive line last year was a veteran group, so every practice was intense,” Baxa said. This experience in football shaped his skills significantly. On the baseball front, the exposure to fast pitches was eye-opening. “Hitting against pitchers throwing 90-94 mph was new to me,” Baxa stated, emphasizing the adaptation of younger hitters to high velocity.

Training involved simulating pitch speeds through machines set at 70 mph from 40 feet away, equating to speeds between 95 to 105 mph. Last fall, Baxa and fellow junior James Sapp Jr. were instrumental in Yorkville’s defense, contributing 47 and 48 tackles for the Foxes respectively. Baxa’s defensive prowess included four tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, and a blocked field goal. Initially a linebacker, he transitioned to defensive tackle and anticipates moving to defensive end this season.

Baxa’s strength development started in seventh grade, encouraged by his brother Blake, a senior linebacker. Bryce began lifting weights along with his brother, achieving significant progress. “By the end of seventh grade, I was benching 225, and by eighth grade, 275,” Baxa noted, attributing his advancement to early opportunities.

The athletic journey aims toward playing in college, a goal fueled by the support of coaches and family. “It would mean a lot to me,” Baxa expressed, aspiring to honor the contributions of those who have aided his development.