It’s a sport Jaden Mintz has played since he was six years old. He grew up watching the Yankees on TV and he knew he had to try out baseball to see if it was for him.

“Just something I fell in love with and I play every single day,” Mintz said.

Being able to throw and catch with teammates in the park is what got Mintz through all the chaos of 2020 and a canceled baseball season. Now this Tottenville High School senior is grateful to have one final season on the field playing the game he loves.

“To actually have one just means a lot, to be able to play with my friends one more time,” said Mintz.

As captain of the team, this shortstop is all about leadership and teamwork.

“I just love the idea of picking each other up because we’re always not gonna have the best days,so it’s important to be there for each other,” Mintz commented.

Giving 100% is how Mintz says he tries to live in every aspect of his life, even achieving perfect attendance from kindergarten all the way to his senior year of high school.

“It shows real dedication,” he said. “I don’t think you can show more dedication than going everyday so that was something that was really important to me.”

The senior also says he enjoys a challenge - a mindset that encouraged him to take multiple advanced placement courses in preparation for college.

“I always treated my academics and my athletics as a job,” Mintz said.

Mintz is off to the University of Hawaii in the fall to pursue a degree in construction engineering. He hopes he’ll be able to spend a little more time on the diamond.

“Baseball is just an unbelievable experience and it’s something that’s helped me grow in my life,” Mintz said.