Early exposure to baseball helped Ian Ostberg craft not only skill at the game, but a love of getting better. He recalls that he played ball in the yard with his father for as long as he can remember, and started on a league at age 6. Over the years, he has worn the uniforms of the Northampton Legion and a summer program called AP Academy. But he’s been a Wildcat for his four high school years, and on November 16, he signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Division I Quinnipiac University, where, keeping it feline, he play as a Bobcat.

A short stop, Ostberg is enamored with the game. “I love baseball’s challenging and competitive nature,” he said. “It’s a game of small details. I like the fact that in order to thrive in baseball, you must have athleticism along with a strong work ethic, while paying close attention to detail.”

His coach also pointed to Ostberg’s willingness to work hard. “Ian is an extremely talented baseball player, but what separates him from other talented players are his consistency of effort and his competitiveness,” said Matthew Sawyer, head baseball coach.

Sawyer continued, “Ian’s adjustment from playing second base as a sophomore to short stop as a junior was rather seamless. He worked hard in the offseason to improve his arm strength, and he approaches balls as well as anyone I have coached. Thanks to the work he has done with his dad and with his summer coach, Pete Fatse, Ian has made himself into a plus defender. He will step on the field as a freshman at Quinnipiac ready to play that difficult position at a high level.”

Ostberg is looking to prove himself in college. “I hope to contribute to the team as early as possible and help work towards winning a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship,” he said. “I wish to improve myself as a player and a person and hope to earn the opportunity to play professionally.”

As someone who has seen Ostberg develop as a player, his father, Robert, has no doubt he has what it takes. “Ian has an intense desire to compete and succeed, and this was evident even as a young athlete,” Robert said. “He has natural athleticism and baseball provides a great arena for it to thrive and be valued.” Robert added that Ian has the psychological make up to do well in sports. “He does not fear failure,” he said. “He is willing to step up at the biggest moments.”