Natalie Hanassab
The baseball team at Pierce College has a new star in the making: center fielder and third hitter Calvin Culver.
Currently in his sophomore year at Pierce, Culver previously played for the baseball team at Quartz Hill High School.
Leadership is Culver’s most noticeable quality besides, of course, his huge talent for the game, according to his coach and teammates.
“I asked him to take more of a responsibility and now he is taking more of a leadership,” said head coach Joe Arnold. “He is always one of the first guys out there.”
According to Arnold, the definition of MVP is a player to whom his teammates can look up to and learn from.
“The most important thing is if you are a good teammate and if you can make other players better,” Arnold said. Being the most valuable doesn’t come easy, according to Culver.
“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it also comes with a lot of satisfaction,” he said.
Culver, who hopes for a state championship this year, has his own unique winning strategy aside from playing hard: “letting the game take over.” Assistant coach Mike Jordt also described Culver’s leadership and role in the success of the team.
“Calvin helps out a lot of younger guys, especially when things get tougher after losses,” Jordt said.
Sophomore pitcher Nathan Perlitch also added to the positive vibe, discussing Culver’s worthiness for MVP.
“He is very positive and morally sound,” Perlitch said. “He also swings a really good bat.”
Culver will be moving on to the University of Southern California this coming fall to continue his 12-year run in baseball.
Although he is known as the team’s MVP, Culver knows that “there is always room for improvement.”
Center fielder Calvin Culver plans to move on to USC for his fall semester. ()