Although he didn’t get to play high school baseball last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Bode has kept himself busy with the game since then.
The Columbus North senior catcher’s performance during his first two years with the Bull Dogs and over the past couple of offseasons has landed him a spot on the Collegiate Baseball 2021 Preseason High School All-America team.
“He’s had a reputation since before he got here,” North coach Ben McDaniel said. “A lot of people maybe questioned that for an incoming kid, but now, there’s nothing that you can question. Austin has put the work in inside the program, outside the program, with his travel team. He’s definitely earned the recognition that he’s getting.”
Bode is one of 69 players on the preseason All-America squad and one of only six catchers. He is one of three players from Indiana, joining Edgewood pitcher Luke Hayden and Southridge shortstop Colson Montgomery.
“There’s a lot of good talent on there, so it’s definitely an honor,” Bode said. “I’m just never going to take that for granted. It’s always an honor to make those things. It makes your work feel appreciated. I just have to prove myself and let my game speak for itself.”
Last summer and fall, Bode played for the Evoshield Canes Midwest 18-and-under team. They played in tournaments in Iowa, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Fort Myers, Florida, and won a couple tournaments at Grand Park in Westfield.
Bode also participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase in June in Hoover, Alabama, and in the Wilson 2020 Premier Classic in September in Atlanta.
On Sunday, Bode was in Milwaukee for the Super 60 Showcase Sunday. Players ran 60-yard dashes, took batting practice and did position-specific drills.
“It was a really good atmosphere,” Bode said. “There was a lot of talent there, and I thought I performed pretty well.”
Bode ran his 60 in 7.02 seconds, which was just off his personal best of 7.00.
On Monday, Bode was back at North for an evening outdoor conditioning session with his teammates in snowy and sub-freezing temperatures.
“It’s definitely hard coming off my junior year and not being able to play,” Bode said. “But I think we learned a lot from that, not taking the game for granted. We’re really putting in the work this year. I think we have a really good chemistry going on right now. The atmosphere in really good, so I think we have a good shot this year.”
With several former Bull Dogs from the past couple years having moved on to college baseball programs, Bode has become one of the leaders on this year’s squad.
“I’ve definitely accepted that role,” Bode said. “I think a few of us have, just to get this team on track. I think everybody has accepted their role really well, and the atmosphere has been great.”
Bode led North with a .417 batting average, three home runs and 35 RBIs as a sophomore in 2019, helping lead the Bull Dogs to the Conference Indiana title. North enters this season with five players, including Bode, who have been starters since their freshman years.
“Austin will continue to be a major force for us, but we have plenty of other pieces, too, so we’re excited for the season,” McDaniel said. “We’re definitely an old group, and we’re looking forward to March 15.”
Bode committed to University of Louisville prior to his freshman season. He also is a candidate to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft.
But for now, Bode has his sights on winning his first sectional title since he’s been in high school and then progressing from there.
“Ultimately, getting to Victory Field (site of the state finals), that’s any team’s goal,” Bode said. “With the chemistry we have going on right now, I just think it’s leaps and bounds what it has been in years’ past. I really do think we’ll go far this year, just being really tight as a group.”
