There’s always a reason to get back up.
And many times, that mentality will lead to some good things.
For example, even after being handed life’s unimaginable circumstances, Oakwood High School’s Jacob Spear has gone on to commit to play baseball at Danville Area Community College in the spring of 2022.
“The support from my community has meant everything to me and it has been another thing to fuel me to become better and better everyday, not just as a baseball player but as a person,” he said.
Family meant everything to Spear as a young child.
“I started baseball when I was about four years old,” he said. “I always looked up to my older brother. Ever since I saw him play (baseball) I wanted to join him, so my father would play with me in the backyard, just about every day.”
Those practices came to an end at the age of nine. Spear’s father passed away.
“I continue this game in honor of him and I want to make him proud,” he said.
As a Comets, Spear has played in 31 games, including 29 as a sophomore, with a .326 batting average, 30 hits, 28 runs and 13 RBIs.
The Comets kicked off the 2021 season with a win over Urbana. Spears contributed an RBI during a six-run fifth inning that broke a tie with the Tigers.
That performance came off the back of nearly 250 days without an IHSA baseball game.
“Ever since COVID cut last year, our entire team has been ready to get back on track and going into games,” he said. “We had pretty high hopes for last year, and it sucks. But now we have to focus on this year.
“My goals for this year is to keep everybody on the team positive and create a great environment to be around this team. I believe if our team is as close as possible it will help in the long run to help us be successful on the field.”
Spear hopes to mentor the underclassmen this season to set up continued success of the Comet baseball program.
For Spear, this is just an extension of what has been given to him over the years.
“All of my coaches have played a big role in where I am today. Actually, Bismarck’s head coach Mark Dodd really set me straight when I was 14. I played for his travel team and taught me how to hide my negative emotions and keep everything positive.
“Oakwood Head Coach Ryan McFarland has coached me since I was in 8th grade. I’ve learned quite a bit from him. He even gave me the opportunity to help coach the junior high team this past fall to help give me a different perspective on the game and I believe that really helped me with my views when I am playing.”
Spear has also played for Danville Post 210 for four years.
“What I’ve learned about myself from baseball is that I can be a very strong person, and I feel like this game has made me mature in how I have to get used to failing and deal with it,” he said. “This has also taught me to just believe in myself and believe in the people around you that they will succeed.”
Danville Post 210 Senior Head Coach Allan Shepherd set up a workout at DACC for the coaches to see Spear’s talent.
The 5’5” shortstop and second-baseman is thankful that he gets to play close to home, and feels like out of the gate he’ll be able to make an impact.
“I hope to provide to DACC, is hustle, I will always try to play my best no matter the situation.”
He plans to major in Marketing with a focus on becoming a real estate agent.
