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Blaine Williams knows he made one of the most difficult choices of his young life.
The Tremont catcher last September decommitted from the University of Illinois and reopened his recruitment. Williams then decided his best fit would be away from the diamond and in the United States Army.
“Baseball is done for me,” the senior said. “It was really something that was kind of weighing on me. ... I just really wanted to go into it right away and get started on my journey in the military.”
Once done playing baseball, Williams says he always wanted to go into the service, specifically become an Army Ranger. Following discussions with his family, Williams ultimately decided on his dream coming sooner than expected.
Who's No. 1? Top 6 high school baseball teams around Peoria in 2025
The Journal Star all-area player, though, knows there will be naysayers about the path he’s taking, but he’s at peace.
“It’s a big opportunity I’m kind of throwing away,” Williams said, “but at the same time, I believe, and my family believes, you got to do what you’re pushing to do in life, so that’s what really what I want to pursue. … I’m going to serve my country, so everybody is very appreciative of that.”
This news was initially surprising to Tremont coach Eddie Betson, but he’s fully on board.
“It’s obviously going to be what’s best for him,” said Betson, who is in his first season after coaching the Metamora sophomore team. “I think that he embodies everything that the military would ever ask for, because he’s about the toughest son-of-a-gun I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach.”
And this also means that Williams is making the most of his last time playing America’s pastime. Previously, he’d been hyper-focused on prepping for the next season and the next level.
All of his energy and effort will go into the 2025 campaign.
“The only thought in my mind is to win,” Williams said. “There’s never been a time more when I’ve enjoyed the game, just being around the game. This is it for me.”
Tremont is off to a 4-0 start through Tuesday’s 7-2 win over Brimfield/Elmwood. The Turks pitching staff has been a big key to that early success. Andrew Dawson, Chase Rhodes, Griffin Meeker and Hunter Smith have combined to keep opposing hitters off-balance with Williams catching.
IHSA baseball: The top 12 players to watch in the Peoria area for 2025
“I love being behind the plate for those guys,” he said, noting he’s caught a lot of his teammate since junior high. “I know exactly what they’re feeling each day when they’re on the mound, what pitches are working for them, what pitches aren’t, so it’s just really having that connection with my pitchers, being able to know what they can throw, when they can throw it, really just dominating when they’re on the mound.”
Tremont is also having very little trouble at the plate, outscoring its opposition, 44-3 including 30 runs scored in two games over the weekend. There’s been 11 extra-base hits, including two home runs, so far this season.
Williams hit .419 as a junior, but an offseason spent in the batting cage has helped him keep his hand movement minimal, be on a straight path to the ball and find the gaps. This mentality has helped Williams become an example everyone seems to be following.
“From Day 1 when I first met him,” Betson said, “he’s been absolutely rock-solid in every way for being a leader for us.”
There’s optimism that Tremont can end a seven-year regional title drought.
“We got a lot of talent this year … as long as we keep the bats rolling,” Williams said, “we have the pitching, and we’ll have a pretty good year this year. Honestly, this is going to be our year if we’re going to make a run.”
However, if the Turks do win a regional championship, that would be the final game for Williams. His deployment to basic training is May 28 — the same day Class 2A sectional semifinals begin.
So, who’s the potential successor at catcher? The position will likely be turned over to Williams’ freshman brother, Jake Williams.
“He’ll take over the reins from there,” the elder Williams said.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA baseball: Tremont senior decommits from Illinois, will enlist in US Army
Continue reading...
The Tremont catcher last September decommitted from the University of Illinois and reopened his recruitment. Williams then decided his best fit would be away from the diamond and in the United States Army.
“Baseball is done for me,” the senior said. “It was really something that was kind of weighing on me. ... I just really wanted to go into it right away and get started on my journey in the military.”
Once done playing baseball, Williams says he always wanted to go into the service, specifically become an Army Ranger. Following discussions with his family, Williams ultimately decided on his dream coming sooner than expected.
Who's No. 1? Top 6 high school baseball teams around Peoria in 2025
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The Journal Star all-area player, though, knows there will be naysayers about the path he’s taking, but he’s at peace.
“It’s a big opportunity I’m kind of throwing away,” Williams said, “but at the same time, I believe, and my family believes, you got to do what you’re pushing to do in life, so that’s what really what I want to pursue. … I’m going to serve my country, so everybody is very appreciative of that.”
This news was initially surprising to Tremont coach Eddie Betson, but he’s fully on board.
“It’s obviously going to be what’s best for him,” said Betson, who is in his first season after coaching the Metamora sophomore team. “I think that he embodies everything that the military would ever ask for, because he’s about the toughest son-of-a-gun I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach.”
One last season of baseball
And this also means that Williams is making the most of his last time playing America’s pastime. Previously, he’d been hyper-focused on prepping for the next season and the next level.
All of his energy and effort will go into the 2025 campaign.
“The only thought in my mind is to win,” Williams said. “There’s never been a time more when I’ve enjoyed the game, just being around the game. This is it for me.”
Tremont is off to a 4-0 start through Tuesday’s 7-2 win over Brimfield/Elmwood. The Turks pitching staff has been a big key to that early success. Andrew Dawson, Chase Rhodes, Griffin Meeker and Hunter Smith have combined to keep opposing hitters off-balance with Williams catching.
IHSA baseball: The top 12 players to watch in the Peoria area for 2025
“I love being behind the plate for those guys,” he said, noting he’s caught a lot of his teammate since junior high. “I know exactly what they’re feeling each day when they’re on the mound, what pitches are working for them, what pitches aren’t, so it’s just really having that connection with my pitchers, being able to know what they can throw, when they can throw it, really just dominating when they’re on the mound.”
Tremont is also having very little trouble at the plate, outscoring its opposition, 44-3 including 30 runs scored in two games over the weekend. There’s been 11 extra-base hits, including two home runs, so far this season.
Improving his game
You must be registered for see images attach
Williams hit .419 as a junior, but an offseason spent in the batting cage has helped him keep his hand movement minimal, be on a straight path to the ball and find the gaps. This mentality has helped Williams become an example everyone seems to be following.
“From Day 1 when I first met him,” Betson said, “he’s been absolutely rock-solid in every way for being a leader for us.”
There’s optimism that Tremont can end a seven-year regional title drought.
“We got a lot of talent this year … as long as we keep the bats rolling,” Williams said, “we have the pitching, and we’ll have a pretty good year this year. Honestly, this is going to be our year if we’re going to make a run.”
However, if the Turks do win a regional championship, that would be the final game for Williams. His deployment to basic training is May 28 — the same day Class 2A sectional semifinals begin.
So, who’s the potential successor at catcher? The position will likely be turned over to Williams’ freshman brother, Jake Williams.
“He’ll take over the reins from there,” the elder Williams said.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA baseball: Tremont senior decommits from Illinois, will enlist in US Army
Continue reading...
