Signing a letter of intent beside his father, Thad Steele, senior Michael Steele will continue his baseball career at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. photo by Gustavo Esquina

story by Karen Zamora

For senior Michael Steele, Christmas came a few days late.

The answer he was waiting for came late afternoon when he received notice that he was going to sign to play baseball for a Division II college at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

“I found out December 30, after the ASU baseball camp,” Steele said. “The assistant coach told me to stick around and that Coach Brooks wanted to talk to me. He offered me a spot to play ball. I was excited and relieved because ASU was what I wanted. It’s the size of school I want. It is top 10 in academics and top 25 in baseball. It is a country town and it’s by my ranch.”

Playing baseball for more than half his life, Steele’s experience and dedication has led him to play for a top 25-baseball program in Texas.

“He not only hits home runs, but [he can hit] from the left side and the right side. He can catch the ball all around the field. He has learned to become a well rounded player opposed to a power bat,” varsity baseball coach Larry Vucan said. “He’s hit .327 last year and he hit four home runs so far. He has really improved over the summer and into the fall he grew about an inch and put on about 10 pounds of muscle. He worked at it, and we saw in the fall league balls flying out of the ballpark. I just saw him continue to grow because he has the discipline and the work ethic.”

Being top of his class, Vucan says that Steele has the best of both worlds attending Angelo State.

“Michael has been a great kid, he’s ahead of his class academically. He had to be to get into that school, but he’s progressed from pitcher-catcher and an average kid to becoming a really great ball player,” Vucan said. “This is a great opportunity, it’s a Division II school with a top baseball program. ASU is the best of both worlds academically as well.”

For principle Carla Gasway, having a closer tie to Steele didn’t change her perspective on other students continuing on to the college level.

“Michael’s mom is my sister, so he is my nephew,” Gasway said. “I wasn’t sure if he would pursue it in college since it’s a full time job, but he went and tried out and he’s excited to go. Anyone from our school going to compete at the next level is outstanding whether its Division I, Division II, Division III, or junior college; any of those. It’s a great opportunity for them and for our school. I am proud of Michael and I’ve probably followed him longer then the others.”

However, Gasway’s expectations for him led him back to his roots.

“I don’t think he wants to [continue baseball further than college],” Gasway said. “He wants to major in business. He wants to run his dad’s business one day. He wants to hunt and fish and I think that is what he’ll be doing.”

Vucan sees Steele being an asset to the Rams.

“I expect him to go on and contribute immediately,” Vucan said. “Not be a red shirt or a bench warmer. He’s a two-position kid, which makes him more marketable he plays the corners and he can catch which will help. This is a great opportunity, after four years of watching him grow and mature I am real excited.”