Luis Collazo will always remember how his love of baseball and his future career started. Grandfather German Diaz played a major role.

“I started baseball when I was around four years old through my grandfather,” recalled Collazo. “He always made me watch baseball.

“When I was about seven or eight years old, I started to already feel comfortable with the game.”

Now, a few years later, Collazo has made his mark with the Catasauqua baseball team. Through the team’s first 17 games, Collazo was hitting .312 with a team-leading 15 RBIs, 15 hits, and six stolen bases.

Collazo has been pleased with his overall performance. The senior currently feels pretty good about his hitting.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball pretty well right now,” said Collazo. “The ball to me feels like a beach ball and I’m seeing it very well.”

In the past few years, Collazo has been a relatively steady presence on the mound. This season, he has appeared in only three games and thrown 1.2 innings.

Still, pitching is still in the forefront for him in spite of not being on top of his list.

“I’ve pitched since middle school,” stated Collazo. “I actually never liked pitching. I just did it because I had one of the strongest arms in the team, so it was just comfortable basically playing catch.”

Collazo currently throws a fastball, slider, and curveball. He also has adjusted in the batter’s box.

“I’ve made three adjustments at the plate,” said Collazo. “Coach Bradley helped me develop which were all in my hands and placement.”

Over the years, manager Steve Bradley has watched Collazo develop off his initial path into one of the better centerfielders he has coached.

“Luis started out for us as an infielder, but had some struggles,” reflected Bradley. “We then found a spot for him in center field where he has matured into one of the best I have coached.

“He makes tough plays look easy and is now hitting very well. So well that he is being moved to the four spot for now. He is one of our captains and shows excellent leadership. His attitude is fantastic and is always positive whether in games or at practice. He will be truly missed next year.”

Collazo has played his captain’s role in his own way.

“Everyone says I’m the ‘captain’ of the team but I see myself as a glue guy,” beamed Collazo. “It is always having the guys involved and not out of it and always having fun.”

Collazo will attend Albright College in the fall and hopes to continue his baseball career. Whatever happens, he will never forget who has been his driving force.

“My grandfather has always been around baseball,” said Collazo. “He was always teaching me how to play humble, but with some flair. He also taught me to always smile no matter what.”