Around the Curve | Fathers' Day Reflections

CURVE, PA - Today we take the time to celebrate something bigger than the game of baseball itself, the bond of a father and son on Father's Day. We sat down with some of our players as they took the time out of their day to share their most fond memories with their fathers. Here are some of the highlights from those conversations.

Bubba Chandler - RHP

Many kids dream of having their own field of dreams just like the famous Kevin Costner movie. Well, this wasn’t just a dream for our very own Bubba Chandler, who told us his father did just that.

“He actually built us a baseball field in our backyard,” Chandler reminisced. “We would go out there every single night and take fly balls, ground balls and take batting practice.”

Chandler later explained how they named the field “Baby Turner” in reference to the former stadium of the Atlanta Braves where he and his father watched many games while growing up. The field went on to become the practice field for his local travel teams and even a place where people could come together for cookouts and softball games. While he has not set foot on that field in a long time, the memories are still rather fond for the young and up-and-coming pitcher.

Tres Gonzalez - OF

As most kids growing up, many will fondly remember sitting down with our fathers on a warm summer's day and taking in America's pastime. Gonzalez was able to recount for us the times he got to watch his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, play in person.

“We didn't go a lot because the best seat in the house is always from your own couch,” Gonzalez said. “But I had a lot of memories from Turner Field. I got to sit with my dad behind home plate and watch Chipper Jones and rookie Freddie Freeman so that was pretty sick.”

Seth Beer - INF

Aside from baseball, many father-son memories happen out on the pond during a “good old fishing trip”. Seth Beer was able to give his take on how he and his father were able to bond more over the simple and relaxing hobby.

“It’s an activity that both me and my dad enjoy,” Beer said. “He taught me how to fish and I taught him how to fly fish. It’s funny, those were times I looked forward to. On those Sunday afternoons, we would go out to a little pond in my parent's little neighborhood. We would fish for hours and that was a big deal. It was a big deal and a good bonding experience.”

Towards the end of the interview, Beer went on to add, “When we're not talking about baseball, we're normally talking about fishing. Doesn't matter if it was wind, rain, or snow; we’ll be out there.”

Wyatt Hendrie - C

Many fond memories begin with a road trip. Wyatt Hendrie was able to give us a legendary recount of his very own road trip story that will certainly stand the test of time. Growing up in Lancaster, California, he told us about his cross-country trip to Cooperstown, New York with his dad.

“My mom back then was scared of flying, so my dad drove us across the country, and we saw a bunch of ballparks,” Wyatt reflected. “It was a special time for not only me and my dad but me and my brother as we bonded over the game of baseball.”

Their family stopped to watch games in many places before arriving at baseball’s holy grail. After spending a few days, they turned around and went all the way back. Talk about an epic summer road trip!

Taylor Davis - Catching Coach

Any athlete can relate to not always enjoying playing conditions, especially on a hot summer's day. Davis was able to recount for us how much his father was able to contribute to not only his attitude as a player but attitude as a father and coach.

Davis told us a story about how his father would force him to run after every practice, and how on one specific hot summer day, he made a deal with his dad.

“There was one day where I saw a rabbit running around. My dad was like ‘It’s time to go run,’ and I asked, ‘How about if I catch that rabbit then I don’t have to run?’” After that proposal, Davis chased that rabbit for an hour and a half and “got out of conditioning”.

Davis, who is now a father himself, spoke on how his dad set the example he hopes to give to his kids.

“I’ve been fortunate, my father was always there for me. He was always the guy taking me out for the extra ground balls, and the extra running when I didn’t want it but he pushed me. From that, I learned a lot about how I want to treat my children based on that or even the kids that I get to coach.”

Jase Bowen - OF

A common note that all of our players spoke about was how their Dad’s were always around to help coach them or watch them grow into the ballplayers that they are today.

Jase Bowen told us that his Dad was always one of his coaches, and that he is someone that he can still talk with to this day to help adjust his mindset and be the best ballplayer he can be. Jase said that there was one specific photo that keeps him grounded as a ball player.

“There is a picture on my phone that my mom always sends me of him putting eye black on me when I was like 10 years old,” Bowen said. “Looking at that picture is such a good reminder that I am playing a kid’s game at the age I am at.”

Braxton Ashcraft - RHP

Braxton Ashcraft has been promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis after a stellar start to his season with the Curve. In his 11 appearances in Altoona this season, Ashcraft racked up 63 strikeouts with just eight walks in 53.2 innings pitched.

When we asked him if he had always worked with such great control of the baseball, he mentioned that his dad, who was his baseball coach from Tee Ball through High School, developed a routine that forced him to be disciplined early.

“His rule was always if you can’t throw strikes you can’t pitch,” Ashcraft said. “I would throw 8-year-old bullpens and he would sit on the bucket intentionally without a backstop. So, when I threw a pitch, if it wasn’t in the zone he would let it go by and I would have to go get it.”

Ashcraft went on to say that this lesson forced him to throw strikes at a young age.

“I think the most important thing that I realized early are that almost 70% of batted balls in play are outs, but 100% of walks put runners on base,” Ashcraft said. “You give yourself a much better chance of getting outs when you let guys hit the ball. That was always a point of emphasis growing up that my dad helped me learn.”

Wishing all the fathers in Curve, PA and beyond a very happy Father’s Day! 💙 pic.twitter.com/DkPzbwAzNS

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 16, 2024

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads in Curve, PA! Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve blog!