By Jose Negron
On a young team filled with players who lost out on their freshmen campaigns in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin Marion has found a way to shine for Belle Vernon Leopard Nation in the Western Pennsylvania Summer Baseball league.
A sophomore-to-be at Belle Vernon Area High School, Marion has made an impact in more ways than one over the last month, whether it be defensively at shortstop, at the plate or even on the mound when called upon by BV head coach Tony Watson.
Marion’s ability to do pretty much everything is why “versatile” is the one word Watson chooses to describe Marion as a player.
“He can play pretty much anywhere in the infield and quite honestly, just from a pitching standpoint, he’s leaps and bounds beyond where most freshmen players are at this point,” Watson said.
“It’s exactly what we’re looking for and he’s a young guy who has a very bright future ahead of him.”
While Belle Vernon Leopard Nation has, at times, played without some of its underclassmen and veteran leaders this summer, Marion is the only player to have suited up for all 10 of his team’s games.
His offensive numbers reflect the high volume of at bats he’s received for Leopard Nation as Marion ranks among the team leaders in batting average (.375), hits (nine), runs scored (seven) and RBIs (nine). He leads the team with 28 plate appearances.
“Each year, he has gotten more mature and his baseball IQ is improving,” said Watson, who has worked with Marion since he was in seventh grade. “He works his tail off.”
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