There’s a fine line between what it means to be good and truly great in the realm of baseball. To thrive in such a demanding game, players must lean into smart thinking, strategic timing, and a devoted work ethic. In this sense, sophomore right-handed pitcher and outfielder Mark Hiddleson fully embodies the role as a great baseball player. Whether he’s up at bat or catching balls in the outfield, Hiddleson makes his athletic presence known wherever he is.
This season, Hiddleson played a pivotal role in securing the Panthers’ spot in CIF playoffs with an overall 11-15 record and Prep League 5-4 record, placing them first in league. His stats, specifically his batting ones, clearly reflects that. Whether it’s home runs, runs batted in, or triples, you can see Hiddleson’s name towards the top of every statistic, an indicator of his prowess across the sport. For this season, Hiddleson batted .205 over 78 appearances. He scored 11 runs and batted in 16 RBIs. Additionally, he accomplished 16 hits with five doubles, one triple, and two home runs.
Despite being an underclassman, Hiddleson never fails to set a model for his fellow teammates, whether through his athletic aptitude or determination on the field. Sophomore second baseman and outfielder Graydon Felgner shared, “Mark is one of our biggest leaders. Even though he’s just a sophomore like me, that doesn’t get in the way of his leadership. Whether it’s keeping everyone focused on the task at hand or helping younger teammates, he really wants to find a way to help others. In a way, he always has his game face on.”
Furthermore, Hiddleson motivates his teammates not only with words but also by his actions. First one in, last one out,really is a standard that encapsulates his work ethic. “Mark’s one of the hardest working players on our team. It’s really motivating for guys like me to see his success because I know it comes from all the hard work he puts in,” commented Felgner.
One standout moment of Hiddleson’s baseball career took place this season. When the squad faced off against Flintridge Preparatory on Wednesday, April 22, Hiddleson managed to hit a home run against Will Grabel, a D1 Duke commit for Flintridge. Unfortunately, the run was eventually called back by the refs, but the reason didn’t have anything to do with Hiddleson and his swing. This incident foreshadows his potential to be a star, and we can’t wait to see what he does in the upcoming seasons.
Overall, it’s clear Hiddleson is a vital piece to Poly’s varsity boys baseball team. “He’s taken a massive step-forward. It’s really impressive!” added junior right-handed pitcher and third base infielder Elijah Ip. Even after limited success in previous years, the team has managed to turn it around with a positive campaign this season, and it’s clear Hiddleson played a huge role in that success. Next year, Hiddleson will become a junior and take even more responsibility. While most players would be scared of that, Hiddleson sees it as just another step on his path to greatness.
