Derek Devine, JTV Sports
Homer, MI. – High school basketball is in full swing, however, last night in Homer it was a former baseball squad and a Major League Pitcher that stole the show.
Homer High School hosted a ‘Tradition of Excellence’ fundraiser yesterday, and the 2004 State Championship Trojan Baseball team returned to their home grounds to be honored at the event. Amongst the fourteen players to return was Josh Collmenter, current relieving pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“This is where I am from, these are all of the guys I grew up with. We are a family here,” said Collmenter. “I’ve been able to keep in contact with them via phone and text, but it feels great to be back and see them face to face again. We are all at different points of life, with careers and families, and it is good to be back with them and catch up. ”
Collmenter may be living out his childhood dream, but he is never too busy to come back to his hometown and continue to develop his relationship with the people in the community; both family and friends, as well as the great number of kids that look up to him.
“Every chance I get to come back, it’s great to see where people are at and how they are doing. It’s great to meet the kids in the community. I remember looking up to athletes and having big dreams as well. To be a role model that they can look up to is an honor. This is my home, and it is good to be back.”
Josh Collmenter might be apart of a chaotic MLB schedule and living on the other side of the country, but he his certainly not too far away to make it back to the place he will always call home.