The Matt Hillman Story: Part Three

By: Gavin Ewbank

When Matt Hillman graduates from Flagler Palm Coast High School in May, he wants to be remembered forever -- but not in a good way.

"I want to be the kid that coaches use as a example." said Matt. "'Don't be a Matt Hillman.' Be in full uniform or every game, and don't throw just nine pitches."

Yes, it's true. Over the past three years, being a Matt Hillman hasn't exactly meant doing thing perfectly, or even the right way, for the matter. As mentioned in The Matt Hillman Story: Part 2, Matt does everything he is told to do, but in his own special way.

Matt getting picked off at first base.

Matt has been through a lot in his three-plus years as a student and baseball player at FPC. From not making the team his freshman year and getting cut as a sophomore -- then getting the call a couple days later that he would be on the team -- to finally making the varsity team in his junior year, only to throw nine pitches in a game against Mandarin.

But Matt is ready to put all of that aside, and focus on his senior season -- one that could be his last days as a baseball player.

"I found out that I have a hidden talent," he said, explaining some of the things that he's improved on over the fall season. "In bunting, throwing a knuckleball, and I got hella faster, too."

"I definitely played more innings at second base [in the fall league] than I ever had in a game. So, yeah, I guess you can say I got better."

One of the most talked about parts for Matt in this fall season was his upcoming player meeting with the coaches. Not sure what they might say to him, he was prepared to hear the worst.

"I thought it would be a good 20 minutes of Coach Butler cracking on me, telling me that my Senior season would suck. But, instead, I found out that I have so many roles, and now I'm pumped."

Those roles for Matt include coming into the game in bunt situations, playing second base if needed, and taking the ball on the mound as the go-to knuckle ball guy out of the bullpen. And it doesn't even matter what role he plays the most, because he's up for the challenge.

"It's kinda a split deal -- I'll take either one." he said when deciding if he would rather pitch more or bat more this season. "Like I said in Part 2, 'Any playing time is desired playing time,' If Mike has the sit the bench for me to play, so be it. If I have to throw another nine pitches against Mandarin, I'll do it."

And some of those roles that Matt might play this season have a direct impact on his goals before he graduates.

"Recording an out on the mound is one. Knocking down a bunt in a walk-off situation. And third, doing a backflip on Senior Night."

Being able to pull off a backflip on Senior Night with all of his friends and family in attendance would be ver special for Matt, just as those very same friends and family members have been special to him.

"My dad [has been a big help]," he said. "And I'm just going to have to give another shout out to Feebs. Feebs is my dog. And a shout out to big Curley D."

Spring season tryouts are just under a month away, and Matt is preparing to take the trip through the baseball year for possibly the last time. He know's what it takes, and he's ready for the challenge.

And just like Forest Gump's mother use to say: "Life is like a box of chocolates -- you never know what you're going to get." With Matt Hillman, it's kinda the same way.

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