Pennsylvanian plays college baseball

by Matthew Paris

contributing to our success since they were freshmen and have naturally filled leadership roles during last season as well as this senior year.”

Following graduation Schultz plans to attend Wilkes University where he will be playing football, and Dennis will be attending King’s College where he plans to continue playing lacrosse.

Growing up, Jim Fullan dreamed of playing organized baseball, and he prepared by practicing with his father for hours on end. Unfortunately, that dream turned into disappointment when he failed to make his high school baseball team. After graduating, Fullan married started a family, and joined the Army. With a family to support, playing organized baseball was not at the top of Fullan’s list. But he did play recreationally in an adult baseball league, and that experience rekindled Fullan’s passion for the game. When his daughter urged him to consider enrolling in a community college and earning a twodegree, the 56-year-old Fullan, now a retired postal worker, thought about combining academics with athletics by playing baseball. His inquiries came up dry until he started conversing with Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA, about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia. Fullan started attending games and talking with coaches about trying out for the team. They welcomed the idea.

Jim enrolled and tried out for the Mustangs as an outfielder. It was a nervewracking experience, not only because of his age but because seven more students tried out than there were spots on the team. Head coach Mike Fitzgerald had decisions to make, and one decision was to include Jim Fullan on the roster. After all the years and disappointments in between, Fullan’s dream finally became a reality. The lesson here is obvious: You’re never too old to give up on your dream.

Houston-based Matthew Paris is The Sports Column’s most widely read author, and human interest stories like Fullan’s is a big reason why.