Trinity baseball features father-son duo

A classic father-son story is brewing on the Trinity baseball team.

Junior left fielder Chase Averitt has been playing baseball ever since he was four, and for the past two seasons, he's played under his father – Trojans head coach Will Averitt.

“It's no different than playing for any other coach. He treats me like any other player, although at times, he's a little harder on me,” Chase said.

Understandable, as any father, coach or not, wants to see his child succeed.

“It's nice seeing him succeed this year,” Will said. “To see him work hard all summer long and all the extra stuff he's done, it's paying off for him.”

Chase has done well from the plate, hitting .415 with 10 extra-base hits (seven doubles, three triples) and has drove in 13 runs.

But even though they have that father-son bond, the Averitts said all the players feel like a family.

“He treats all of us the same way, he's hard on all of us, and he loves on all of us, too,” Chase said. “It's like we're all brothers.”

Since he was little, Chase has always had a baseball and bat in his hands and always worked to be the best.

“I've always loved his work ethic. If he didn't get it right, he would stay at practice until he felt good, even if it meant we were late for dinner,” Will said. “He puts in the extra time until he is satisfied.”

They take their work home, too, bringing up plays and strategies and talking about comparisons – often, of course, when sitting down to watch a Texas Rangers game.

On the field, Will may be a bit harder on Chase compared to the other players, and that's when his wife, Wendy, steps in and tells him to dial it back.

“I treat everyone equally. I treat them all like my kids,” Will said. “I might be a little harder on him, but I try to to treat them the same – compliment them the same. I think that's the best way to do it.”

“I have to see him as another player. I think it's the best approach, that the other kids see that he's treated like he's not just my son.”

The Averitts make it not all about baseball, enjoying other hobbies such as fishing and hunting. Chase said he and his father have had their share of adventures.

“We went fishing once and I went back to cast and caught his ear by accident, and we had to go see a doctor,” Chase said. “I thought it was pretty fun, but he didn't.”

The Trojans (15-2, 7-1 in District 7-6A) have clinched a playoff spot and have five games remaining in the regular season, including a season-ending non-district game against Trophy Club Byron Nelson. They're on a hot streak right now and will host Coppell on Tuesday night, then visit Coppell on Friday.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Trinity baseball features father-son duo."