For The Tribune

Ian Martin has spent a lot of time behind the plate over the past 10 years.

This spring, he’s in his first season as Brownstown Central’s starting catcher on the varsity.

“I believe I was 8 when I started catching,” Martin said. “We were short a catcher and I just started doing it. I lettered my sophomore year pinch-hitting and running for people. I was the designated hitter last year.”

Brandon Tormoehlen is in his first year as the Braves’ head coach, and he has brought some changes to the program.

“This year he has been calling the pitches, which is kind of new for us,” Martin said. “Usually it was the catcher that decided it. It’s going well.”

Martin said when an opposing batter steps in the box, he has several things to consider as to what pitch needs to be called.

“You kind of have to remember who’s up and how good they are, and what they’ve been doing today so you can try and work around that and expose that,” he said.

Before the start of a game, Martin gets a feel for whoever is pitching.

“If he’s having trouble getting his curve ball down, if he keeps leaving it up in the zone, in a game when I call it I’ll set my glove up real low just because I know he’s going to throw it higher than I want, so if I set my glove up low he’ll put it right where I want it,” Martin said.

“I like the leadership it takes where you have to communicate a lot with your teammates because you can see the whole field.”

Martin said when facing the heart of the lineup, he has go-to calls.

“I usually like to start off with something off-speed, a curve ball or a change up,” he said. “Most everybody else I like to start with a fastball. “If you get a first-pitch strike you’re much more likely to get that out. Even the curve balls we throw to the hitters, we still try and put them over the plate and still get a strike if they don’t swing. We just try to get them out on their front foot on the first pitch.

“My pop time has been getting better since I’ve been working with coach Tormoehlen. He caught for Butler University, so he’s pretty knowledgeable about catching.”

Martin has been batting third for the Braves this spring.

“Our lead off guys, No. 1 and 2, have been really good about getting on base for me and getting me some RBIs,” he said. “ You can notice if his curve ball isn’t very good, or if he always leaves it up then you just learn from things like that.

“If he has a real good curve ball you know not to swing at it because you know it is going to break real hard. You can pretty much expect not to get an inside pitch. Pretty much everything is going to be on the outside part of the plate, and low. I’ve gotten a lot better (making contact) since the beginning of last year just hitting off varsity guys more often and learning from each at bat.

On the schedule, Martin enjoys the home games.

“We’ve done a lot of work to the field, made it a lot nicer,” Martin said. “I like having the fans there. I like the away games. It’s nice to mix it up and play on different fields. I like North Harrison’s field. Providence has turf so that’s always fun to play on. It’s something different. I like to play under the lights.”

Martin said it’s important to keep a positive attitude during games.

“(Keeping a good attitude) is very important, especially in baseball,” he said. “If you’re 3-for-10 or 4-for-10 you’re doing really well, so you have to accept that you’re not going to get a hit every time. You just can’t go to the bench and pout every time you make a mistake or every time you don’t get a hit, so it’s important to keep your head up and keep cheering on your teammates and keep the energy up.”

The senior has enjoyed attending BCHS.

“I like that it’s not a huge school,” Martin said. It’s a pretty close-knit community. There’s not thousands of kids and everybody knows everybody. I like how personal it is with the small school. You get more time one-on-one with the teachers. I’ll remember everyone that helped me contribute to what we’re doing here.”

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Name: Ian Martin

School: Brownstown Central High School

Parents: Roger and Barb Martin

Siblings: Sara, Eric

Sports: baseball 4 years

Athletic highlights: 2016 sectional champions

Organizations: Lettermen’s Club, Christian Club, 4H

Plans after high school: attend Vincennes University (CNC machining)

Favorite food: pizza

Favorite TV show: The Office

Favorite movie: Talladega Nights

Favorite team: Cincinnati Reds

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