CAMAS — Stephen Short doesn’t hand out pitching machines to just any catcher for them to work on blocking, framing and receiving mechanics at home.
But few catchers are like senior Grant Heiser.
“That’s the thing with him,” the coach said, “I have to bring him down a notch.”
For four years in Camas’ baseball program, Heiser has epitomizes what Short calls the complete-package player. Not only the offense and defense game, but the intangibles that aren’t coached: leadership, competitiveness and work ethic.
“When you’re best player works the hardest,” Short said, “everyone else has to step up their game, too.”
Heiser’s success has paved the way for the Papermakers’ successful season that includes a 4A Greater St. Helens League title, a 4A bi-district title and qualifying for state for the first time since 2011. Camas (18-5) is the top seed at Saturday’s 4A regional at Vancouver’s Propstra Stadium, facing Issaquah (16-9) at 1 p.m. The winner advances to the 4 p.m. regional final with a state semifinal berth at stake.
Heiser is hitting a team-best .461 and his total hits, including number of doubles, also are a team-high. In big-time moments and pressure situations is when the senior raises his game most. In Camas’ state-clinching win over Auburn Mountainview last week, Heiser had an RBI single against Nate Weeldreyer, considered by many to be a top pitching prospect, plus picked off a runner at first base that sealed Camas’ first state berth in eight years. He followed it up last Saturday going 3 for 4 with two doubles in the bi-district title-game win over Puyallup.
Camas hasn’t reached the state semifinals since its last qualified for state as a Class 3A program in 2011. It came one year after the Papermakers lost to O’Dea in the 2010 state championship game.
And a championship is the biggest goal of all for Heiser and his teammates, and it starts by winning twice Saturday.
“We know we can do it,” Heiser said. “We go into it not as individuals, but one team. That’s been our motto all year.”
“I’ll do anything I can to help get us there.”
Heiser is having his best season in a prep career that’s had him continually climb the development latter. A natural catcher, Short asked Heiser as a sophomore to play third base.
He learned the position in a week, the coach said, then earned second-team all-league honors at season’s end.
Now in his second full season behind the plate, Heiser’s groomed into one of Clark County’s best.
Playing catcher isn’t for everyone, but Heiser gravitates to it for being a part of every play.
“You’re in on everything,” he said. “Every play, you’re in on it … you’re in the game 24/7 and that’s what I love about it.”
Pitcher Luke Brewer, who earned the win in Saturday’s bi-district title win, has been friends and teammates with Heiser for years. Brewer said Heiser is one of a kind is his competitive drive and how he gets the most out of a pitching staff that features a blend of veterans and first-time varsity players.
And for Brewer, he finds working with Heiser as a battery mate makes him a better pitcher.
“He really gives you a lot of confidence when you’re pitching,” Brewer said. “I trust him a lot.”
Camas’ athletic success in recent years hasn’t included baseball on a consistent state level, but Heiser and his teammates are ready to change that. The senior sensed the team’s potential early this spring, and he doesn’t want the roll the Papermakers are on to end.
“We’re playing with a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “We want to put Camas baseball on the map.
“I’m so proud of my teammates, and regardless of what happens, they’ve given me the best senior season a senior can ask for.”
