In baseball parlance Bradyn Barker is often referred to as a “spark plug”.
The Barwon Heads youngster loves to play baseball, he loves the action, he wants to hit a home run and he loves to pitch.
Bradyn is one of the many new kids at Baycats Baseball starting their journey to the major leagues and following in the footsteps of Geelong’s most famous baseball export, Graeme Lloyd.
Bradyn has recently been selected to represent the Baycats as part of its state level Little League Academy team.
His team of boys and one girl have now played six games against some of the state’s best junior baseballers.
As one of the younger players he not only holds his own but is excelling in the new tougher competition.
Playing with the Bellarine Bears, Braydn is the son of one of the Baycats state league players Chris Barker.
Shortstop Chris has a pedigree as a baseballer but more particularly 10 years of service at national level playing softball for Victoria and Australia.
Mum Stacey Withan has played many years in Geelong as a top softballer, while granddad Allan Witham has been a stalwart for the Corio Tigers and was a key contributor when the club won its only premiership.
Bradyn is a multi-skilled player, having a go at pitching, catching as well as playing all the defensive positions.
He says he loves hitting the most and is looking forward to hitting a home run over the fence.
Bradyn, like so many other players from the Bellarine, has a lot of talent.
Lloyd, originally from Gnarwarre, was a left-handed pitcher who won two World Series with the New York Yankees.
During his 10-year Major League career, Lloyd played with the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals in the American League and the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and New York Mets in the National League.
