For as long as he can remember, Northampton second baseman Austin Sommers has kept baseball as a mainstay in his life as well as a certain New York Yankee player.

“I started Tee-ball when I was about 4-years-old,” noted Sommers. “I started just like any other kid trying out as many sports possible, but baseball has always stuck out to me.

“As I got older, I remember what occupied me was throwing a foam baseball against the stairs and fielding it and mimicking swings from my favorite Yankee players. As I had gotten even older, I remember the first player I became obsessed with was Derek Jeter. Baseball, Derek Jeter, and the Yankees were basically the only things I talked about when I was in elementary school.”

When he began high school, Sommers began to know all too well about peaks and valleys in a baseball season. The senior second baseman has seen his share of them over the last three years in the Northampton program.

This season hasn’t been any exception. The Konkrete Kids began the season winning four of their first five games, but they then dropped four straight.

Despite the slump, Sommers planned to stay the course, but unfortunately the Kids would miss the playoffs (see story on page A9).

“We started our season off hot, but have kind of hit a road block,” said Sommers. “We [were] hoping we come back hot again.”

“For me personally I [just did] whatever it takes to win.”

Over the years, Sommer’s father, Ken, has been a steady force in is life.

“My dad was the person to get me into baseball, and he’s made me the player and person I am,” said Sommers. “He has continued to help me through the highs and lows that have come with baseball, and he is always looking for small things to critique during the tough times. He always keeps my confidence running high and without his support, I don’t think I would be playing at the level I am right now.”

Head coach Mick Sugra has appreciated Sommer’s contributions on and off the field.

“He’s [put] the ball in play,” said Sugra. “He has been doing a good job from a senior leadership role.”