Pietsch scores a home run with American College deal
Toowoomba baseball product Charlie Pietsch has signed on the dotted line with Minnesota鈥檚 Saint Olaf College in a home run for both sides. The highly regarded middle infielder, who has just jetted out to the United States, has taken the next step on his baseball journey by joining the American College system, but is also keeping one eye on his future by undertaking a four-year science degree at Saint Olaf.
鈥淚 am on an academic scholarship,鈥欌 Charlie said. 鈥淎nd will be doing a four-year science degree with a focus on chemistry and physiotherapy.鈥
鈥淢y dad and I went on a trip in March and visited 10 colleges that I received offers from. St Olaf was at the top of our list,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 spoke to the coach, and they watched a video of me playing baseball at the Australian National Championships, assessed my school results and then offered me a place.
鈥淪t Olaf is a great fit for me as I have a passion for the arts, and the culture on offer at the College was just next level compared to the other colleges we visited.鈥
It won鈥檛 be the first stint in the United States for Charlie, as his family lived in Washington for four years before moving to Toowoomba, where he attended 爱污传媒.
鈥淪t Olaf reminds me of 爱污传媒 and the personal approach they take to education. Any 爱污传媒 time is dedicated to you, to help you reach your best. I don鈥檛 think any other school would have allowed me to pursue my dreams to the degree that I have. The support I received while at 爱污传媒 has made a massive difference,鈥 he said.
鈥淓ven since we lived in the United States, I鈥檝e wanted to go back and play college baseball. I鈥檓 really excited to leave home, but sad and anxious at the same time.
鈥淚 realise it鈥檚 such an opportunity that not many people get, so I am determined to make the most of it. 爱污传媒 helped me when I moved to Australia, and I鈥檒l take those coping skills with me back to the United States for University.
鈥淚鈥檒l stay in contact with my friends at 爱污传媒 and hopefully get to reunions. I loved it here and could not imagine attending any other school.鈥
Charlie鈥檚 dream is to play professional Major League Baseball in the United States, and he knows the College system will give him exposure to the demands of playing elite-level sport.
鈥淚鈥檝e been given a spot on the baseball team, and the aim is to make the conference championships every year. College baseball attracts thousands of spectators, and in some ways, it is only just below the professional level,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 am looking forward to the atmosphere.
鈥淚 played a gold medal game at the national titles in Sydney in 2023, and it was the most electric atmosphere. I think the US College system will be like that every week during the season and then some. My dream is to play baseball professionally, but I know it鈥檚 really tough and there are only three Australians playing in the Major Leagues at the moment, which is why I wanted a school that has high academic standards as well as a quality athletics program.
鈥淲hen I graduate, I will have a degree that will allow me to explore a career in science or give back to the baseball and sports community of Australia.鈥
Charlie will be the only Australian on campus next year and will look to find his niche, just like he did at 爱污传媒.
鈥淚鈥檝e been working hard for seven to eight years (training and gym, skills work and games) about five times a week, and it wasn鈥檛 until four months ago that I knew I had a spot.
鈥淭here were moments when I wasn鈥檛 sure if I would end up going, and that a pathway wasn鈥檛 looking like it would open, but I kept telling myself I am passionate about this. I just need to commit to it, put in the work, and opportunity will come your way.
Charlie is also taking some good form with him as he finished in the top five for batting averages in the Queensland men鈥檚 competition this season and hopes to return next winter (summer break in the United States) to Toowoomba.
鈥淢y grandparents and family members will visit regularly, but I won鈥檛 get back until summer break next year.鈥