The theme of the story is versatility. And for Justin Toole, a former Hawkeye and Lewis Central star, it began in 2012.
During a game for High Class A Carolina, an affiliate of the
Cleveland Indians, he played all nine positions in a nine-inning
contest. And his tale didn't end there.
The next year, he wrote
"9 in 9: Nine Life Lessons Learned from Playing Nine Positions in One
Nine Inning Baseball Game." The book wasn't just about the feat, but
other traits that he's learned through the sport that apply on and off
the field.
Though utility players often don't receive prestige, filling that role is what sets Toole apart.
"It is one of those
things that makes me stand out," Toole said. "I've always been a utility
guy and we don't necessarily get all the attention, so things like this
are a good way to showcase what we can do.
"Being a free agent
coming out of college, I had to do something to show my value to the
organization instead of flying under the radar."
Proof of his value came
Aug. 25, 2012. Toole started the game against Salem in right field, then
progressed through the grass to left by the third inning. In the fourth
inning, the now 27-year-old began rotating around the infield from
first base to third. He was catching in the eighth inning before taking
the mound to wrap up the ninth.
Toole has also had stops in Class AA and AAA and this season is with Akron, a Class AA affiliate of the Indians.
He's a career .249 hitter now in his sixth year in the minors. But defense is where he stands out.
Despite jumping between
positions and leagues, Toole has maintained a .979 fielding percentage,
including .997 at first base and .984 at second.
As he's gained more experience as a utility man, Toole began following the careers of comparable major leaguers.
"As I got older, I
started looking up to Jamey Carroll, David Eckstein and guys like that
who aren't the most talented, but they're consistent, play hard and
always play right," he said. "I'm not a guy that will jump out right
away, but if you watch me more and more you appreciate what I do."
Justin's brother, Eric,
has followed in his sibling's footsteps. The younger Toole also starred
for the Titans and was recently named a preseason first-team All-Big Ten
pick heading into his junior year with the Hawkeyes.
Justin had advice for his brother, as well as other budding athletes, which was the premise for "9 in 9."
"I had in mind young
athletes ? high school and middle school age. I tell things that my
teammates and I have gone through," he said. "I take lessons from the
game and apply it to life. College athletes have said how much they've
enjoyed it, as well.
"It's cool to see a wide variety of people reading it and enjoying it at different ages."
As for Toole's most
important advise: "Follow your dreams and have the correct attitude to
do right things off the field. Whatever it is you want to do ? whether
it is baseball, a doctor, lawyer, dentist, whatever ? work hard, have
the correct attitude and you can do it.
"It has been a really
cool experience. If you read the book, you read about not only a crazy,
unique game, but also the life lessons that playing this sport has
taught me."
Link
During a game for High Class A Carolina, an affiliate of the
Cleveland Indians, he played all nine positions in a nine-inning
contest. And his tale didn't end there.
The next year, he wrote
"9 in 9: Nine Life Lessons Learned from Playing Nine Positions in One
Nine Inning Baseball Game." The book wasn't just about the feat, but
other traits that he's learned through the sport that apply on and off
the field.
Though utility players often don't receive prestige, filling that role is what sets Toole apart.
"It is one of those
things that makes me stand out," Toole said. "I've always been a utility
guy and we don't necessarily get all the attention, so things like this
are a good way to showcase what we can do.
"Being a free agent
coming out of college, I had to do something to show my value to the
organization instead of flying under the radar."
Proof of his value came
Aug. 25, 2012. Toole started the game against Salem in right field, then
progressed through the grass to left by the third inning. In the fourth
inning, the now 27-year-old began rotating around the infield from
first base to third. He was catching in the eighth inning before taking
the mound to wrap up the ninth.
Toole has also had stops in Class AA and AAA and this season is with Akron, a Class AA affiliate of the Indians.
He's a career .249 hitter now in his sixth year in the minors. But defense is where he stands out.
Despite jumping between
positions and leagues, Toole has maintained a .979 fielding percentage,
including .997 at first base and .984 at second.
As he's gained more experience as a utility man, Toole began following the careers of comparable major leaguers.
"As I got older, I
started looking up to Jamey Carroll, David Eckstein and guys like that
who aren't the most talented, but they're consistent, play hard and
always play right," he said. "I'm not a guy that will jump out right
away, but if you watch me more and more you appreciate what I do."
Justin's brother, Eric,
has followed in his sibling's footsteps. The younger Toole also starred
for the Titans and was recently named a preseason first-team All-Big Ten
pick heading into his junior year with the Hawkeyes.
Justin had advice for his brother, as well as other budding athletes, which was the premise for "9 in 9."
"I had in mind young
athletes ? high school and middle school age. I tell things that my
teammates and I have gone through," he said. "I take lessons from the
game and apply it to life. College athletes have said how much they've
enjoyed it, as well.
"It's cool to see a wide variety of people reading it and enjoying it at different ages."
As for Toole's most
important advise: "Follow your dreams and have the correct attitude to
do right things off the field. Whatever it is you want to do ? whether
it is baseball, a doctor, lawyer, dentist, whatever ? work hard, have
the correct attitude and you can do it.
"It has been a really
cool experience. If you read the book, you read about not only a crazy,
unique game, but also the life lessons that playing this sport has
taught me."
Link
