The pitcher glances towards home plate as the late innings unfold. Behind the plate, senior catcher Alex Chui crouches low, settling his glove for the next pitch. From his position, Chui commands the defense, deciphering the batter’s stance and the pitcher’s rhythm to make the correct read for the play. Playing catcher requires more than receiving pitches. In this position, Chui helps guide the whole team from the center of the field.
Early in the season thus far, Chui has contributed both offensively and defensively for Poly’s varsity baseball team. In the team’s first eight games, the senior catcher has a .375 batting average, with nine hits in 24 at-bats and a .464 on-base percentage. Over his varsity career, Chui has appeared in 50 games, recording 29 hits and 18 RBIs. While those numbers show steady production at the plate, his impact on the team extends beyond statistics.
A quality teammates often highlight is Chui’s vibrant positivity. Teammates describe him as someone who constantly lifts those around him. “Off the field, Alex Chui is ‘touse,’ or what we call the ‘top-house,’” sophomore outfielder Mark Hiddleson shared. “It’s a term reserved for people who have an infectiously positive energy that radiates to others.”
That positivity has helped Chui grow into a leader during his senior season. Reflecting on his early years in the program, Chui shared how his mindset has shifted as he has gained more experience: “I’m a lot more comfortable, and I’ve been able to step into more of a leadership role to guide the younger players.”
This season has presented some early challenges for the Panthers. According to Chui, the team initially struggled with defensive errors but has already begun improving as the season progresses. “Early on we had some struggles with making errors in the field,” Chui expressed. “But our most recent game showed we could clean it up. We fought until the very last inning, and I think we’re starting to hit our stride as a team.”
Additionally, when several players moved to new positions early in the season, the team had to adjust. “I’m really proud of my teammates for being able to adapt,” Chui said “Even if it wasn’t the position they expected to play, they embraced it because it was best for the team.”
As his senior season continues, Chui hopes to make the most of his final months with the program: “My main goal for the season is to have fun, and the easiest way to have fun is by winning, but regardless of what happens, I’m going to enjoy every moment with my teammates.”
Looking ahead, Chui hopes to carry the lessons learned from team sports into the future. He credits athletics with helping shape his experience at Poly by teaching leadership, teamwork, and strong connections with others. With his leadership behind the plate and positive presence off the field, Chui’s influence will stretch beyond the field this season and into whatever he entertains next.
