Meet your 2023 Traverse City Pit Spitters

Jun. 15—Editor's note: This article was published in the Record-Eagle's "2023 Pit Spitters" special section. Click or tap here to read the section in its entirety online.

NAME: Nate Blain

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Canton, Michigan

COLLEGE: Madonna University

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 200 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "All Saints" by The Ninetys

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: The Steve Miller Band

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Greece

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: Michigan Chillders

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Miguel Cabrera

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Slick comb over

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NATE BLAIN: He loves to climb trees. His dog's name is Jeffery. He can't ice skate.

HOST FAMILY: Cindy and Tom Ooley

NAME: Joshua Lanham

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Augusta, Georgia

COLLEGE: Lenoir-Rhyne University

POSITION: Pitcher/Third Base

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 225 lbs

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Traverse City

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: The Notebook

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: Green Eggs and Ham

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Blake Bean

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Duck boots with jeans

BEST MEAL: Peanut butter and Dorito sandwich

CELL PHONE LOCK SCREEN: Me and Blake Bean

HOST FAMILY: Mary Graverson

NAME: Easton Johnson

AGE: 20

HOMETOWN: Gilbert, Iowa

COLLEGE: Creighton University; Iowa Central Community College

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 230 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Joker and the Thief" by Wolfmother

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Outkast

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Marco Island, Florida

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Rookie" when Dennis Quaid calls his son to tell him he's getting called up to the major leagues.

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey" by Tim Tebow

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Quinton Aaron

HOST FAMILY: Matt, Nikki and Indish

NAME: Tyler Minnick

AGE: 18

HOMETOWN: Marietta, Georgia

COLLEGE: Georgia Tech University

POSITION: First base/Catcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 210 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Please Don't Go" by Mike Posner

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Taylor Swift

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hawaii

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: Bambi

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: Geronimo Stilton

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: All neon-yellow Nike elite outfit

BEST MEAL: Momma's spaghetti

HOST FAMILY: The Deckers

NAME: Glenn Miller

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Pentwater, Michigan

COLLEGE: Eastern Michigan University

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 185 pounds

WALK-UP SONG: "Me On Whiskey" by Morgan Wallen

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Jensen Beach, Flordia

TV SHOW/MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: Any time the Tigers have lost in the playoffs

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Chomp" by Carl Hiaasen

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon

BEST MEAL: Smoked BBQ wings with veggie and mashed potatoes

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Fernando Tatis, Bryce Harper, Patrick Mahomes.

NAME: Nick Powers

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Flint, Michigan

COLLEGE: Michigan State University

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 200 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "When The Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hawaii

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "Marley & Me"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Mateen Cleaves

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon outfits

BEST MEAL: New York strip steak at Texas De Brazil

ATHLETE YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Spencer Strider

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NICK POWERS: He writes with his right hand but does everything else left-handed. He is a self-described aviation fanatic. He loves anything outer-space related.

HOST FAMILY: Walter and Jana Franke — NAME: Aaron Forrest

AGE: 23

HOMETOWN: Peoria, Arizona

COLLEGE: Doane University

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2, 220 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Poppin' My Collar" by Three6 Mafia

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Coldplay

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Switzerland

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Green Mile"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Wearing plaid and stripes together

BEST MEAL: Birria tacos

ATHLETE YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Zac Gallen

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AARON FORREST: He has a kilt. He makes excellent fresh guacamole. He has an addiction to buying sneakers.

HOST FAMILY: The Falls. — NAME: Jake Michel

AGE: 20

HOMETOWN: Baltimore, Maryland

COLLEGE: University of Richmond

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-5, 225 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Ice Spice

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: The beach

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "The Hobbit"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Sean Casey

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon-yellow high socks

BEST MEAL: 24-ounce ribeye steak with roasted potatoes

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: My friends, family and I great cheesesteak I had

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Tyler Glasnow and Zach Wheeler

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JAKE MICHEL: He can juggle. He likes to read. His sister is also a collegiate athlete.

HOST FAMILY: Andy and Mishelle Vos — NAME: Noah Samol

AGE: 19

HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, Ohio

COLLEGE: Georgia Tech University

POSITION: Left-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-8, 242 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Welcome To The Jungle" by Guns N' Roses

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: I'm not ashamed of my music taste. I'll proudly bump anything from Fleetwood Mac to Avril Lavigne

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Crystal Lake, Michigan

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "Finding Dory"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Goodnight Moon"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: CC Sabathia

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Jake Paul merchandise

BEST MEAL: Steak at Jeff Ruby's in Cincinnati

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NOAH SAMOL: He was born on Friday the 13th. He can play piano and cello. He was in the top 0.1% of Drake listeners on Spotify in 2022.

HOST FAMILY: My own family — NAME: Jayden Dentler

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Kalamazoo, Michigan

COLLEGE: Kellogg Community College; Northwood University

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 225 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Justin Bieber

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Traverse City

MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: Dobby dying in "Harry Potter"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Where The Wild Things Are"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Derek Jeter

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL: Neon shorts and socks

BEST MEAL: Meatballs

ATHLETE YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Max Scherzer — NAME: Cole Prout

AGE: 19

HOMETOWN: Midland, Michigan

COLLEGE: Central Michigan University

POSITION: Outfielder

WALK-UP SONG: "Flex (ooh, ooh, ooh)" by Rich Home Quan

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: One Direction

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hawaii

MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: In "The Blindside" when he sees his brother

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Power of the Five"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Curtis Granderson

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: No tie And1 shoes

BEST MEAL: Spicy Sicilian chicken soup

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Nikola Jokic, Bryce Harper and Aaron Donald

HOST FAMILY: Scott and Cheryl Goodwin — NAME: Zachary Johnson

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Omaha, Nebraska

COLLEGE: University of Nebraska

POSITION: Outfielder

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 210 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" by Patty Loveless and Chris Stapleton

MUSIC ARTIS YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Rihanna

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hawaii

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Notebook"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: Harry Potter

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon clothes

BEST MEAL: Thanksgiving dinner

HOST FAMILY: The Lyons — NAME: Hayden Jatczak

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Saginaw, Michigan

COLLEGE: Saginaw Valley State University

POSITION: Pitcher/Corner Outfielder

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 235 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "That's The Way I Like It" by KC & The Sunshine Band

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Florida Keys

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Miguel Cabrera

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon

BEST MEAL: Venison blackstrap steak

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Aaron Judge, LeBron James, Ronald Acuna Jr.

HOST FAMILY: Maia and Matt Turek — NAME: Aren Gustafson

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Beloit, Wisconsin

COLLEGE: The Master's University

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 205 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Legend" by The Score

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Percy Jackson: The Lightning Theif"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Mitch Trubisky

BEST MEAL: Swedish pancakes from Al Johnson's

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: Wrigley Field

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Justin Steel, Shohei Ohtani

HOST FAMILY: Dawn and Matt Lyon — NAME: Blake Bean

AGE: 23

HOMETOWN: Farmington Hills, Michigan

COLLEGE: Kalamazoo College; Lenoir-Rhyne University

POSITION: Outfiedler

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-10, 190 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Turn Off The Lights" by Chris Lake

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: The Bahamas

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Tom Izzo

BEST MEAL: Steak

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: Little Buzz Lightyear

HOST FAMILY: Mary Graverson — NAME: Parker Brosius

AGE: 19

HOMETOWN: Suwanee, Georgia

COLLEGE: Georgia Tech University

POSITION: Outfielder

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 183 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Narcos" by Migos

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Mt. Joy

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: The Caribbean

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Brian McCann

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon Nike elite shorts

BEST MEAL: New York strip steak with sauteed onions, mushrooms and potatoes

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PARKER BROSIUS: He is an only child. He has lived in the same house his entire life. He is ambidextrous.

HOST FAMILY: The Samals — NAME: Nico Saldias

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

COLLEGE: Saint Xavier University

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 195 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Like I Do" by Brooks, David Guetta and Martin Garrix

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Nickelback

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Dominican Republic

MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: In "Field of Dreams" when Kevin Costner plays catch with his dad

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: Jim Abbott's biography

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Jorts

BEST MEAL: Mom's shepherd's pie

CELL PHONE LOCK SCREEN: Junior college teammates and high school baseball team

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NICO SALDIAS: He's Canadian. He's never traveled inside of Canada. He's never played organized hockey.

HOST FAMILY: Susan and Richard Falls — NAME: Carson Fischer

AGE: 20

HOMETOWN: Grand Rapids, Michigan

COLLEGE: Davenport University

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 220 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "A Milli" (instrumental" by Lil Wayne

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Bruno Mars

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Scottsdale, Arizona

TV GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "One Tree Hill"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "The Contract" by Derek Jeter

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Anna Banana

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Matching Nike Elite socks with shorts and shirts

BEST MEAL: Brazilian Steak House in Myrtle Beach

THREE FACTS ABOUT CARSON FISCHER: He is allergic to fresh fruits and vegetables. He is earning his bachelor's degree in three years. He played three sports through high school.

HOST FAMILY: Sue and Bruce Elben — NAME: Ethan Foley

AGE: 23

HOMETOWN: Canton, Georgia

COLLEGE: Reinhardt University

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 190 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hawaii

TV SHOW/MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: Any time a dog dies

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Percy Jackson: The Lightning Theif"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Matt Ryan

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Bowl cut

BEST MEAL: Grandma's poppy-seed chicken

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: The one that comes with it.

ATHLETES YOU ENJOY WATCHING: Anyone on an Atlanta team, Ronald Acuna Jr., Trae Young, Grady Jarrett.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ETHAN FOLEY: He loves watching movies. He went on a zipline in Belize. He loves nature.

HOST FAMILY: Lindsey and Tim Collins — NAME: Andrew Mannelly

AGE: 19

HOMETOWN: Atlanta, Georgia

COLLEGE: Wofford College

POSITION: Outfielder

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0, 195 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Taylor Swift

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: The Bahamas

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Where The Wild Things Are"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Charles Tillman

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon shorts

BEST MEAL: Sushi

THREE FACTS ABOUT ANDREW MANNELLY: He is left-handed. He can solve a Rubik's Cube. He has never had a cavity.

HOST FAMILY: The Westfalls — NAME: Holden Wilder

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: John's Creek, Georgia

COLLEGE: Wofford College

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 210 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Redbone" by Childish Gambino

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Old Justin Bieber

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: The Lake.

TV SHOW/MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: The Red Wedding scene in "Game of Thrones" or "Good Will Hunting"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "If You Give A Mous A Cookie"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Odell Beckham Jr.

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: The whole Nike socks with the dashes up to my knees and then the Sperry shoes.

BEST MEAL: 12-ounce filet with scallops and creamed corn

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: I rotate between a grizzly bear, a picture of Wofford with snow on the ground and my grandmother.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HOLDEN WILDER: He broke his wrist in 6th grade trying to dodge a tag while playing kickball. He used to practice "hitting dem folks" in middle school in case he ever met Ayo and Teo. He is in to Matty B Raps music videos. — NAME: Riley Frost

AGE: 20

HOMETOWN: Atlanta, Georgia

COLLEGE: University of North Georgia

POSITION: Infield

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 185 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Walking in a Dream"

BAND YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Nickelback

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Hilton Head, South Carolina

TV SHOW GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Magic Treehouse"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Tom Glavine

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Neon clothes

BEST MEAL: Steak

LOCK SCREEN ON YOUR CELL PHONE: An astronaut playing baseball.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RILEY FROST: He played hockey growing up. Tom Glavine was his hockey coach. He had a flip phone until a year ago.

HOST FAMILY: Kelly and Joel Leopprandt — NAME: Mitch White

AGE: 23

HOMETOWN: Southfield, Michigan

COLLEGE: University of Cincinnati

POSITION: Right-handed Pitcher

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 185 lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Fuss & Fight" by Koe Wetzel

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Adele

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Traverse City

MOVIE GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: "The Notebook"

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "The Magic Treehouse"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE MET: Barry Sanders

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Anything Aeropostale

BEST MEAL: BBQ pork sandwiches

THREE FACTS ABOUT MITCH WHITE: He was homeschooled from fifth through eighth grade. He has lived in three different states. He is a big fan of country music.

HOST FAMILY: Tom Ooley — NAME: Devin Hukill

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Marietta, Ohio

COLLEGE: Ashland University

POSITION: Second and Third Baseman

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11, 170lbs

WALK-UP SONG: "Solo" by Future

MUSIC ARTIST YOU PRETEND TO HATE BUT SECRETLY LOVE: Taylor Swift

IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Florida

MOVIE MOMENT GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY: In "The Lion King" when Mufasa is killed by Scar and Simba tries to wake him up.

FAVORITE BOOK AS A CHILD: "Where The Wild Things Are"

MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU'VE EVER MET: Cal Ripken Jr.

MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION CHOICE IN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Mohawk

BEST MEAL: My mom's homecooked meals

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DEVIN HUKILL: He loves to fish. He enjoys boating. He once caught an 11-foot alligator.

HOST FAMILY: Susan and Rich Fall