Charles City youth baseball player Hunter Apel shines at All-American Games

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Just about every major league baseball player comported themselves like Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani during the splendor of their youth.

They were usually their youth team’s resident ace pitcher as well as cleanup hitter.

It’s just when they reach an exclusive level of play, if they’re lucky to get that far, is when they have to narrow their pursuits in choosing whether to be a pitcher or a position player.

One or the other.

Charles City 11-year-old Hunter Apel has not reached that point in his baseball career. But if he does come to that fork in the road, he might do what Ohtani did and what Yogi Berra famously advised … take it.

As a member of the Chucktown Legends traveling team, Hunter hit .321 and struck out 50 of the 175 batters he faced on the mound this past spring and summer.

More recently, Hunter was chosen to participate in the “invitation only” Baseball Youth All-American Baseball Games held around the New Year’s holiday in Panama City, Florida.

Facing elite 12U competition in game situations, Hunter allowed only 1 earned run while facing 20 batters and hit .250.

For his pitching accomplishments, Hunter was named All-American Ace.

Though he has returned from Florida to “enjoy” the winter weather of his home state, Hunter is still honing his game during the offseason at “The Clubhouse”, an indoor athletic facility located at 300 Gilbert St.

“This is a good place for me to get extra practice,” said Hunter, who was recently training with his father, Jordan Apel.

“If you’re going to give credit for helping Hunter out, you should give it to Tad Barry,” the elder Apel said of The Clubhouse owner and former Comet standout, who founded the Legends baseball program several years ago.