Born and bred to play baseball, Page always improving

NEW PALESTINE — Ever since he started playing catch with his father, grandfather and uncles as a four-year-old in the backyard of his home, Brian Page has been accumulating baseball knowledge.

From time spent in the New Palestine Youth League, to his ascension to travel ball with Donnie Smith and the late Jerry Lovell and finally to New Palestine High School, Page has soaked up every morsel of the sport he possibly could.

After years of hard ball schooling, Page put together a remarkable senior season for the Dragons, who finished 25-7 and reached the 4A semistate. Page led Hancock County in wins (8-1 record), ERA (1.47) and strikeouts (65).

NP’s No. 1 starting pitcher was one of the main driving forces behind the red-and-white capturing a share of its ninth consecutive Hoosier Heritage Conference crown as well as winning its 14th sectional title, fifth regional championship and finishing with at least 20 wins for the 10th straight season.

Behind the strength of those accolades, Page is the Daily Reporter’s Hancock County Player of the Year.

Though the recently-graduated NP right-hander is best known for his mastery on the mound, Page grew up playing all over the field.

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