Once more an all-star, Popeck credits club ball

Michael Popeck knows all about redemption.

How sweet it was before the all-star season got underway -- and how much sweeter it became in his first game.

Popeck had made the Ahwatukee Little League's 9/10 All-Star team two years ago. But last year, the corner infielder and catcher wasn't on the roster.

So Popeck joined a club team for the first time in his life. Coaches were tougher, pitches were faster and the game was simply harder all around.

But, as a result, Popeck improved.

As this year's Little League season got under way, he started to mash the ball. Pitchers started to throw around him.

When the regular season had come and gone, Popeck wound up with nine home runs in 25 games, top in the league.

And when the A.L.L. announced its Majors All-Stars roster on June 15, his dad came and found him in the living room.

"Congratulations," he said. "You made it."

Now Popeck, once more an all-star, credits playing club ball for helping him make the roster.

"I think I learned a lot more than Little League," he said. "There's a lot better pitchers there, they threw a lot harder, so it was harder to hit the baseball, but when you did, it went farther."

The adjustment back to Little League was a little rough at first for Popeck.

"It wasn't that easy, because I was so used to the club ball and throwing faster, but I got adjusted to it after the first game," he said.

Popeck plans to rejoin his club team this September. But, for now, he's displaying some of his power.

After striking out in his first at-bat of the all-star season - on three pitches - Popeck drilled a three-run home run on a fastball away on the first pitch of his second at bat.

Redemption was once more on Michael Popeck's side.

Contact writer: (480) 898-4906 or rcasey@ahwatukee.com.