Sports Spotlight: Jayden Colon, Legacy Charter baseball

The starting shortstop for the Legacy Charter baseball team, Jayden Colon is looking to make the most out of his junior season after seeing the 2020 season get cut short because of COVID-19. The Eagles are only a few games in, but Colon already has established himself as one of the team’s best hitters.
 

When did you first get into baseball?

My dad got me into it when I was about 6. I started playing Ocoee Little League with him, and he’s been my coach since I was 5. 
 

Your dad is a coach on the Legacy baseball team. What’s that like?

It’s amazing. We get to go home and talk everything over, and there is nothing like it. I love being with him, and I love him.
 

What is it about baseball that has kept you in the sport for so long?

You fail 70% of the time, and you’re amazing? That’s crazy, and that’s what keeps me into it.
 

You’re in your third year at Legacy. What’s been your favorite thing about playing at the school?

The coaches and the players. Going to school with everybody is just so much fun. Those are my boys, and I hang out with them, and it’s amazing. And knowing everybody at the school is also cool — they’re all coming to the games and supporting us, also.
 

Since you first started playing at Legacy, what would you say has been the biggest change that you’ve seen in yourself?

My freshman year, I wasn’t really the best hitter. I could hit, but I wasn’t really great at it. But Coach (Rich) Dilyerd has dramatically helped me.
 

Do you have a highlight moment for you that stands out?

Just being in the dugout with everybody — supporting the team. That’s probably the highlight, just being in the dugout and being able to hang out with everybody at practice every day, and game days are special.
 

What’s your favorite part about playing shortstop? The hardest part?

My favorite thing is being the leader of the infield, and the most challenging part is being the leader in the infield; leading the infield by example — showing them what to do and what not to do — and also having to teach the freshmen how to do everything, how we do it and how we go about things.
 

What’s it been like going into this new season?

It’s been a lot different. Normally, we would be able to go to the field as a team without the coaches before the season started and get warmed up before tryouts and everything, but this year, we can’t do that because of COVID. 
 

Did losing most of last season to COVID-19 affect the way you appreciate the game now?

Oh yeah, definitely. I think we played 11 games last year, and we were 9-2 at the end of last year — we were looking real good going into midseason. This year, I’m just playing every game like it’s my last, because I don’t know what’s going to happen.