This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/04/2022 12:00 AMBryce Meder is only a sophomore at Guilford High School, but he’s already making a massive impact on the ballfield. Bryce has been producing both on the mound and at the plate as a member of the Guilford baseball team this spring.
Bryce is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman for the Grizzlies. Bryce was inspired to play baseball by his great grandfather Joseph Meder and grandfather Donald Meder, both of whom had experience on a big stage in the sport.
“I have been playing ball since kindergarten, and I love it,” says Bryce. “My great grandfather got a chance to try out for the New York Yankees, and my grandfather had the same opportunity, but with the Dodgers. They have both been a great inspiration to me.”
While Bryce enjoys everything about baseball, one of his favorite aspects is the importance that momentum plays in a game. Bryce knows that knows that whenever the Grizzlies have a chance to score some runs, they need to cash in on that opportunity and bring their boys home.
“The importance of momentum in a game is huge in baseball,” Bryce says. “Like having a great offensive inning, then going out and striking out the side to pile on more runs the next inning, goes a long way in winning games.”
Bryce has established himself as one of the top players on Guilford’s roster thus far this season. Through the club’s first 12 games, Bryce has a record of 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings pitched, recording 20 strikeouts, while allowing opponents to hit only .226 against him. On the offensive side, Bryce is batting .423 with a .571 on-base percentage, 8 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
Head Coach Nick Merullo says that Bryce always gives the Grizzlies a good shot to win when he toes the rubber. Merullo adds that Bryce is a force to be reckoned with whenever he has a bat in his hand.
“Bryce has made five starts on the mound and always gives us a chance to win. Sometimes it is easy to forget he is only a sophomore as he is always so composed on the mound,” says Merullo. “Bryce has started to find his stride at the plate this spring and is a strong bat in the middle of our lineup. He has so much potential to emerge as both a power hitter and power pitcher, and the coaching staff is excited to watch him grow into the player he is capable of becoming. He is someone who just loves everything about the game of baseball and is constantly working to improve his craft.”
Along with his baseball career at Guilford, Bryce had an opportunity to represent Team USA at the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) in 2019 and 2021. The NTIS is a tournament run by USA Baseball that includes a system of two separate tryouts. The task force then selects two teams of 16 players from each region of the United States.
“I have played with players as far west as Ohio and as south as North Carolina. These teams go to Cary, North Carolina to compete in a Champions Cup tournament and receive the opportunity of being scouted by USA Baseball scouts and Division I scouts,” Bryce says. “Anyone can go to the first tryouts, but after that, it is a series of invite-only tryouts. My favorite moment as a player was when I was selected to the team in 2019 and 2021. There are so many talented players that go through the USA baseball organization, and the environment is unlike any other team I’ve played for.”
Bryce knows how to stay motivated to succeed as a baseball player. Bryce likes to write down his goals and also hangs up pictures in his room that remind him about what he’s working toward.
“We have a picture of the colleges I am interested in, as well as the USA national training complex,” says Bryce. “I found that if I know what level I want to get to as a baseball player, I can put in any amount of work to get there.”
Aside from baseball, Bryce likes to play basketball and also enjoys swimming and biking. Bryce takes advantage of every chance that he gets to stay active.
“Usually when I’m not playing baseball, I’m at the Guilford lakes with my friends, swimming, playing Wiffleball, or biking around,” Bryce says. “Any chance I get to play another sport, I will take. So, we always have some sport to play.”
Bryce feels confident about what Guilford can accomplish the rest of the way this season. The Grizzlies currently have six wins and are in the mix to qualify for both SCCs and states.
“I have really high expectations for this year’s team. We have a great bond as a team, and we have all been playing together for years,” says Bryce. “We can compete with any team in the state. We have proven that we are a strong team to some powerhouse schools already this year and should continue to compete throughout playoffs.”