By Ty Handlan

The temperatures are rising, grass clippings are flying, and the days are lasting longer.

The high school baseball season is officially underway.

With that comes the coverage of games, local sports television and radio debates about the best teams, along with feature pieces on superstar players looking to make the transition to the collegiate level.  

However, this story delves deeper into the true meaning of high school baseball. It epitomizes the team player and underdog that almost every team has.

Isai Castelo fits that mold for the Central Bobcats baseball team.

Castelo is a 17-year-old senior outfielder who maintains straight A’s in the classroom and also finds time to participate in his church band on the weekends.

“He is very passionate about everything he does. Whether it’s baseball, church, band or school,” Central coach Luis Lujan said. “I don’t think there is a bad thing I can say about him to be honest.”

Castelo has been a member of the Bobcats baseball team since his sophomore year.

He is always looking to contribute for the greater good of the team. That could entail shagging fly balls, helping with the scorebook, getting water for his teammates who are playing, or pinch hit in a situation that calls for a sacrifice bunt. Castelo is more than happy to do that for the sake of the team.

“He is always enthusiastic to help the team. He has a great attitude,” Lujan said. “Isai is the ultimate team player. He understands that the team is bigger than himself, and some players never grasp that idea.”

Castelo would probably tell anyone that he learned how to become a team player from the influence that music has had on his life.

“Being in a band means that everyone participating in it must know their part for the ensemble to work,” Castelo said. “Baseball has also showed me how important it is for everyone to be focused and on task. Having that mindset of what is best for the team to reach our goal is similar to being in a band.”

Castelo plays the trumpet in Central’s jazz band and the bass guitar for his Spanish Christian Church in Goodyear.

On top of playing baseball and being an avid band member, Isai also finds time to be a part of Central’s business program. Castelo is looking to pursue a career in business and plans to attend Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business after high school.

Castelo’s demanding work ethic and positive attitude do not go unnoticed by his coaches and teammates.

“He’s a good kid. His grades are never lower than 90%,” Central second baseman Gabriel Cortez said. “He always keeps everyone up and puts everyone before him.”

Castelo has started in only two games this season of the nine games that Central has played.

“Baseball has shown me that you have to keep your head up no matter the situation,” Castelo said. “If you’re having a bad day or bad game, there is always a way to make up for it.”

Castelo’s goal, the same as his teammates and coaches, is to reach the Division III playoffs and make a run in the tournament.

Central’s overall record is 4-6, but the season is still early.

“Baseball has shown me how important it is to work hard and to really pay attention to the details. Doing the little things is the way to succeed,” Castelo said. 

Ty Handlan is a sports journalism student at Arizona State University.