A native of Brownsburg, Ind., Gaston dabbled in baseball but had hockey in his heart. "Hockey was my first sport," he said. "That’s what I wanted to do." 

Nonetheless, he picked up the bat and ball when the season came, starting with t-ball at age 5. Until he was 9, he was a fixture at second base. 

Becoming a catcher was his father Keith’s fault. "At the first game of my 9-year-old season – my dad was coach for one season – we didn’t have a catcher," explained Gaston. "He asked the kids if anyone wanted to be catcher. When nobody raised their hand, dad chose me."

Initially Gaston wasn’t happy about his father’s choice, but found no sympathy when he complained to Patsy, his mother. "She said, ‘You’re the coach’s son. so you have to do it,’" said Gaston. Two games later, he was hooked.

In junior high, the baseball bug finally bit and Gaston soon shifted his focus from the ice to the infield. "I think the thing I like best about baseball is that there are so many different parts that at any given time there is so much going on," he said. "It’s got the action I feel like a sport needs."

Gaston was blessed to have the support of his parents in the pursuit of his goals. He is careful to point out that while his father did put him in as catcher, he was not the stereotypical overbearing parent coach. Both of Gaston’s parents have been supportive of his baseball career, respecting his choices on how deeply involved he wishes to be.

2006 marks the second year Gaston is catching for the Kettleers. In spite of a rocky draft experience, "I love being back here," he said. "I love Coach Roberts." He is also happy to be back with his host family, the Kipneses. 

Gaston remains baffled about the draft. "I am not entirely sure what happened," he said. "I felt pretty good, but nothing ever happened."

He notes that he was excited about the possibility of being chosen by a Major League team and felt nearly despondent when the calls didn’t come. "Those two days were horrible," he recalled. "Having such high expectations and then having it not happen. It was frustrating and disappointing."

Fortunately Gaston isn’t one to stay down for long. "It took me a couple days, but I feel great," he said, adding that the offers that did come in weren’t enough to motivate him to walk away from his last semester at Indiana’s prestigious Notre Dame, where he is majoring in political science and history.

Gaston enjoys playing for the CCBL because he feels the fans are the best. "The atmosphere of the fans is great," he said. "They are very knowledgeable about the sport and the teams, and are into the games. It’s another step up in intensity."

Already this season the Kettleers are in the top position in the CCBL Western Division. Gaston is doing his best to help the team maintain that spot, as well as keep on top of his own game knowing the scouts are still looking. "I’ve always been a Cubs fan," he said. "I would love to play for the Cubs. Ultimately, I’d love to play for any team that would give me a chance. That would be a dream come true."

Sean Gaston is not a morning person. Most days find him fighting a losing battle against his alarm clock. When it’s time to take to the baseball field, however, the catcher is quick to find his place behind home plate. How ironic that at one time baseball was merely a hobby. For the future Cotuit MVP, it was all about the puck.

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com