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Patrick Clites, baseball

By Mike Ciarochi, For The Greene County Messenger by Mike Ciarochi, For The Greene County Messenger 6 min read
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Whatever Patrick Clites decides to study in college, he is certain of one thing: He will be helping someone else. The son of Rich and Sheila Clites of Dilliner maintains a 3.5 grade point average at Mapletown, where he is a pitcher on the baseball team. His older brother, Justin, works in the computer department of a hospital in Annapolis, Md. For his efforts, Clites has become Mapletown’s male spring sports selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program. He will study sports medicine at California University or to become a teacher’s aide. “From playing football and seeing injuries, I’ve always been interested in helping people with sports injuries,” said Clites, who played football in his younger years at Mapletown. “My mom runs a day care and I’ve always grown up around other kids. Last summer, I worked at a park in Greensboro and I like working with kids. So that might lead me to csreer as a teacher or teacher’s aide.” It’s that practical approach that led Clites to make the following statement about his favorite subject in school. “What’s not to like about physics? It’s how everything works.” It’s also that practicality that led Clites down his scholastic path. “I am a pitcher and I just play baseball here, no other sports,” he said. “Freshman and sophomore years, I played football. I stopped playing football because I don’t think that getting an injury early in life would be worth it later in life. I got a concussion and that messed me up for a while.” Clites’ family tree is littered with good athletes, none better than cousin Bobby Clites. “Bobby Clites is my cousin,” Patrick said proudly. “He was drafted by the Pirates and he played in the minor leagues for them. He’s my dad’s cousin. My dad played baseball growing up and played football when he was a junior and senior in high school.” His dad became the greatest influence Patrick has encountered as an athlete. “From T-ball, we would always go out to the driveway and he would make me throw,” Clites said. “We would go to the field and he would hit me grounders. He got me into pitching. Early on, I didn’t think I wanted to pitch, but he had me try it and I ended up loving it. I’ve been pitching ever since then.” And he doesn’t want to stop now. “I plan to at least try out for baseball in college,” he said. “I would love to be able to keep playing baseball in college. I just love playing baseball, in general.” 45f81a5e8422e94b567e1126a8b6da00Q&A College plans: California (Pa.) University, to study sports medicine. Favorite subject, teacher: Physics, Mrs. London. Twitter, Facebook or text messaging: Text messaging. Most memorable sports moment (so far): Besting West Greene, 2-1, for our first section baseball win. Favorite food: Chicken. Least favorite cafeteria food: Pizza. Most recent book read, excluding textbooks: Deliver Us from Evil. All-time favorite movie: Fast And Furious. On my iPod: Rap and country. Most admired professional athlete: Josh Harrison. Greatest influence on you as an athlete: My dad. In 10 years, I will be: An athletic trainer. If I were President of the United States for one day, I would: Feed the homeless. ef7e0930-f806-11e4-bece-00163ec2aa77

Whatever Patrick Clites decides to study in college, he is certain of one thing: He will be helping someone else.

The son of Rich and Sheila Clites of Dilliner maintains a 3.5 grade point average at Mapletown, where he is a pitcher on the baseball team. His older brother, Justin, works in the computer department of a hospital in Annapolis, Md.

For his efforts, Clites has become Mapletown’s male spring sports selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.

He will study sports medicine at California University or to become a teacher’s aide.

“From playing football and seeing injuries, I’ve always been interested in helping people with sports injuries,” said Clites, who played football in his younger years at Mapletown. “My mom runs a day care and I’ve always grown up around other kids. Last summer, I worked at a park in Greensboro and I like working with kids. So that might lead me to a career as a teacher or teacher’s aide.”

It’s that practical approach that led Clites to make the following statement about his favorite subject in school.

“What’s not to like about physics? It’s how everything works.”

It’s also that practicality that led Clites down his scholastic path.

“I am a pitcher and I just play baseball here, no other sports,” he said. “Freshman and sophomore years, I played football. I stopped playing football because I don’t think that getting an injury early in life would be worth it later in life. I got a concussion and that messed me up for a while.”

Clites’ family tree is littered with good athletes, none better than cousin Bobby Clites.

“Bobby Clites is my cousin,” Patrick said proudly. “He was drafted by the Pirates and he played in the minor leagues for them. He’s my dad’s cousin. My dad played baseball growing up and played football when he was a junior and senior in high school.”

His dad became the greatest influence Patrick has encountered as an athlete.

“From T-ball, we would always go out to the driveway and he would make me throw,” Clites said. “We would go to the field and he would hit me grounders. He got me into pitching. Early on, I didn’t think I wanted to pitch, but he had me try it and I ended up loving it. I’ve been pitching ever since then.”

And he doesn’t want to stop now.

“I plan to at least try out for baseball in college,” he said. “I would love to be able to keep playing baseball in college. I just love playing baseball, in general.”

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