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04/12/2018 12:00 AMChase Morris has made a triumphant trek back to the Warriors’ baseball squad after rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm. It was an arduous process for Chase, but he remained a presence in the Warriors’ dugout, while continuing to pursue his dream of playing the sport he loves. Now a senior at Valley Regional, Chase is back in action as the Warriors’ shortstop.
“It was stressful. It wasn’t hard to watch the team, but I was like, ‘Man, I wish I was playing.’ I learned a lot from watching, though,” Chase says. “My whole process was getting back for my senior year and to be a good teammate. Once I got range of motion in my arm, the physical therapy was every day to get back to where I was. They had me in a cast at 90 degrees, and it was a little depressing just lifting two pounds. But it was what I had to do to get stronger for two years.”
Chase felt discouraged at times as he was working to get healthy and return to the field. With the injury behind him, Chase is now fully focused on becoming a better baseball player.
“I went through a rough patch about not being on the baseball field, but once I got back, it was one of the happiest days of my life. My coaches said [the surgery] was common and, the harder you work, the sooner you get back on the field. I just had to be consistent with it and do my work,” says Chase, who lives in Deep River. “You’re trying to get back to be able to get back to the normal grind. You lose your finesse on the infield with ground balls. That’s why you go out there every day and grind. Try to make yourself look good and make your swing look pretty.”
Chase has played baseball ever since he could hit off a tee, and his position of preference is shortstop. However, Chase also plays third base and expects to shift to the hot corner at the collegiate level.
“I’ve played shortstop pretty much my whole life. For college, I’m going to be a third baseman. In high school, I’ve played shortstop,” Chase says. “I like playing short, because I like fielding ground balls and turning two. It feels great to get a double play. You also tell everyone how many outs there are and what base to throw to. I like taking that leadership role. It’s a fun position. You’re right there. I like to be in action at all times.”
In addition to taking a leadership role on the diamond, Chase tries to lead the Warriors off the field, as well. As a senior, Chase knows that Valley’s younger players are looking to him for cues on how to conduct themselves, and Chase relishes having that responsibility.
“I’m most proud of working every day and getting better as a ballplayer—not just for myself, but for the team. I like getting better and inspiring other players to play well and motivating the other kids on the team to work hard to get out on the field with you,” says Chase. “You have to take into consideration the underclassmen look up to you...You have to show them the way and how Valley baseball works. You have to hustle for every play and be respectful. You have to respect the game. You have to show them that. You have to be a leader to them.”
Head Coach Brian Drinkard feels overjoyed to pencil Chase into the lineup after all the hard work that Chase put in to get back. Drinkard saw the positive effect that Chase had on the squad when he was sidelined, and now he’s eager to see Chase make an even bigger impact on the field.
“We’re excited to have Chase back. He comes from a tremendous baseball family, and he is a leader on the field for Valley. We are expecting him to have a solid season at shortstop,” Drinkard says. “It was tough watching the kid have to miss his junior season knowing how much baseball means to him, but he was there supporting the team at games and practices, even though he couldn’t play. He has a positive influence on the entire program at Valley.”
Chase is eager to help the Warriors to make a run as a postseason contender this year. Valley already has two wins under its belt, and Chase knows there will be more to come if the Warriors play sound baseball.
“If we play defense and hit the ball and stay behind our pitchers, we’ll do some damage,” says Chase. “We’re going to be effective this year, especially if we hit the ball. We have to make the plays in the field, and put the ball in play on offense.”
After Chase graduates from Valley, he plans to play baseball in college. Chase says that he wants to major in sports management, so that he can stay around the game after his playing days are done.
“I’m excited. When I go to school, I want to be in sports management and stay in that area,” says Chase. “When I’m done playing baseball, I want to be a coach and be a respectful player and teach others how to have that same respect for other players.”