The gear is heavy, the game is long and the expectations are high. But for Coppell High School junior Cain Frosk, stepping behind the plate feels like home.

After years of juggling hockey and baseball, Frosk is now solely a baseball player, showing up for his teammates and coaches as a reliable leader on and off the field.

“He has a very high ceiling. He’s one of our athletes that can go on and do something very special with his career,” Coppell baseball coach Armando Garza said. “He’s got a lot of traits that will set him apart at the next level and help them be successful.”

Choosing to play baseball rather than hockey was not only based on preference but better chances for a career.

“I realized I liked baseball more,” Frosk said. “I was a little better at it and had more opportunities, especially living in Dallas, since hockey is not as popular here. It just made more sense to stick with baseball.”

Picking up the bat first for T-ball as a way to bond with his dad Chris Frosk, baseball has been part of Frosk’s identity for as long as he can remember. His love for the sport, teammates and competitive drive has kept him in the game.

“My dad first got me into baseball and what keeps me passionate about the sport is being competitive and going against other people every day,” Frosk said.

As a catcher Frosk can see the entire field and is the baseline for communication. Whether it is calling pitches, settling a pitcher in a high-pressure moment, or checking in with teammates between innings, he sets the tone.

“On the field, he is definitely an asset behind the plate. He does well there, and he has got a plus arm, meaning he can throw the ball really hard,” Garza said. “That  shuts down the opponent’s run game, which is essential for our success.”

While continuing to grow in his own game, Frosk motivates his teammates and sets the tone as a leader. Whether it is during practice or in the middle of a tight game, he aims to keep the team focused.

“He is a good leader and always pushes guys to be better. He wants his teammates to do their best and leads by example,” sophomore catcher Ryan Hill said. “He lifts everyone up when they are down and is always focused on winning.”

As a junior, Frosk works with Hill by teaching him how to improve his game to help set the team up for success after his graduation.

“Watching him play helps me see how to improve and apply what he does to my own game,” Hill said.

Just like any student-athlete it starts in the classroom, working to keep his grades up. No matter the season he gives it his all from Performance Course -a strength training and conditioning program Coppell baseball works with to enhance athletic ability-  before the sun rises during preseason to late afternoon practice in the sun he works to leave everything on the field.

”It is about time management,” Frosk said. “It takes a lot of mental training and effort but once you succeed at that, it gets easier.”

Discipline, both mental and physical, has not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches.

“I have seen him grow up and mature both in the classroom, in the hallways and on the field,” Garza said. “He has committed to what we are trying to do.”

As the level of the sport rises for high school athletes, so does the need for motivation and confidence. For Frosk, one of his deepest sources of motivation comes from his family, especially his grandmother Connie Frosk.

“My grandma has been through so much throughout life and, I look at that and think; if she can do it, I can do it too, so I just keep pushing myself to be better,” Frosk said.

Frosk’s hard work and dedication paid off with a walk-off double in a playoff game against Prosper, giving him confidence in his skills and his team.

“ It was a great boost for our team and confidence. To be able to push ourselves to work hard and win,” Frosk said.

With one year left at Coppell, Frosk has his sights set on going deeper in the playoffs and earning a shot at the next level: college baseball.

But for now, his focus is behind the plate, leading his team one catch at a time.

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