Littman Added by Wachusett Dirt Dawgs During Final Stretch of FCBL Season
By Kyle Prudhomme, Fitchburg State Student Journalist/Wachusett Dirt Dawgs Summer Intern
Photo Courtesy of Anna Gagnon-Burch
FITCHBURG, Mass. – Fitchburg State's stand-out sophomore catcher Nathan Littman just cannot get enough summer baseball.
After his team was bounced from the Cranberry Collegiate League Playoffs (CCL), the defensive specialist got a call from the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) with an opportunity to play in one of New England's top collegiate leagues on the other end of the phone. The FCBL, a highly competitive collegiate summer league, focuses on developing potential big-league talent from a select crop of players throughout New England and the United States.
Wachusett - playing its home games at nearby Doyle Field in Leominster – have had seven players drafted since the team began in 2012, and most recently got its first summer signing as All-Star catcher Scott Manea (Florida Intl.) inked a professional contract with the New York Mets on June 21. Littman is not the only player from Fitchburg State to compete for the Dirt Dawgs - fellow college teammate Tommy Parsons joined the team last summer, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings in three appearances, while skipper Kevin Barnaby managed the Dawgs to a 26-29 record in 2014.
"It's extremely exciting for me to be able to play in a league with players of such a high caliber. These guys in the league play and approach the game the right way," said Littman about the opportunity of entering the FCBL.
Playing against top Division I and II players in the country is an intimidating proposition. Especially when you consider the limited number of Division III players in the league, and being thrusted into it. But Littman is no slouch and certainly fits the bill after earning his first Worcester Area All-Star nod, batting .355 (40 of 121) with 21 RBI and 22 runs scored for the Green and Gold this past spring.
"Playing in the FCBL allows me the chance to see the type of talent that's out there, and even though it's the end of the season, it's easy to see how hard the guys work and why they're so talented. I'm just hoping to learn from as many of them as possible," said Nate unshakably.
Wachusett Dirt Dawgs President and Owner John Morrison shared similar sentiments saying, "It's a great opportunity for growth going into his junior season. I'm sure Nate will represent Falcons' baseball well."
Littman has had a busy summer since the Falcons wrapped up their 18-20 season in 2016. It began with the Myrtle Beach Collegiate League in Murrels Inlet, South Carolina, before he rejoined his hometown Rockland Cardinals in the CCL. Although for only a short-stint, he drew plenty of attention with his 7-for-10 mark at the plate (two doubles) while driving in four runs in just three games played.
Since joining the playoff hopeful Dirt Dawgs on June 22, Littman has started two contests, highlighted by 18 innings of perfection behind the plate – no passed balls or errors – although he remains hitless against hurlers in the FCBL.
"I may only have a few years left of competitive baseball for the rest of my life. I've played baseball for as long as I can remember," reflected Littman. "I want to become the smartest and most skilled baseball player I can be. I just love the game and hope to some day be a coach."
With a summer filled with such applicable experience, Littman is poised for a breakthrough season for the Green and Gold in 2017, and who knows, maybe he'll need to put those coaching plans on hold a little longer.
For scheduling information and other Wachusett Dirt Dawgs news visit www.dirtdawgsball.com.