Athlete of the Week: Cole Maden

Cole Maden, 13, recently returned from playing in Cooperstown, N.Y., with the Sarasota Sharks 12U baseball team. The team played during week two of the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament and came in ninth out of 104 teams. They also succeeded in knocking the No. 1 team out of first place. In the 10 games that the Sharks played, Cole hit seven home runs.

How did you get into playing baseball? 
I started playing T-ball when I was 3 in Glebe Park with Suncoast Sports.

How did you get involved with the Sharks? 
I was asked to attend tryouts for the travel team almost three years ago.

What position do you usually play?
Catcher, third base and pitcher.

What is your favorite thing about the game of baseball? 
When all the hard work and practice actually come together during a game, for example, like when we turn a double play. 

What kind of glove and bat do you use? 
I use a Wilson A2K glove and an Easton Power Brigade bat.

What was it like playing in a tournament in Cooperstown? 
It was an honor to be able to play as one of the 104 teams in week two at Cooperstown Dreams Park this summer. The teams that travel to Cooperstown are all great teams, and it is exciting to play teams from all over the United States, including one we played from Hawaii. The facilities are amazing and run very professionally. They have a tradition of trading pins. Each team designs its own and takes them to the tournament to trade, which helps you meet other players. And, if you are lucky, like we were, you get to have some of your games broadcast on the Internet so that your friends and family, who are not with you in Cooperstown, are able to watch.  

What was is your favorite memory from the tournament? 
Hitting two home runs against the No. 1 seeded team to get the win to advance us to the Sweet 16.

Did you get to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame? 
Yes, I was able to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and saw all kinds of neat, historical things related to the game of baseball.

What team will you be playing with next? 
I am not sure yet. I am currently involved with the 12U Sarasota Cal Ripken All-Stars, and our next tournament is the state tournament this weekend in Altamonte Springs.

Is there a professional baseball player whom you admire?
Josh Hamilton.  He has had to overcome many hardships and is still a dedicated and hardworking player.