SEMINOLE, Fla. — The great Yogi Berra once said: "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too."

At Seminole High School, the Warhawks have been able to combine both.

What You Need To Know

  • The Seminole High Warhawks started the season with 10-straight wins

  • Junior JJ Baysinger leads the team in RBIs and home runs, and is a big reason for their success

  • JJ says he finds success off the field, too, with help from his Big Brother, David Caras

Junior JJ Baysinger leads the team in RBIs and home runs, a big reason why Seminole opened the season with 10-straight wins. And he credits the strong bond he and his teammates share for their success on the field.

“You just look around and you’re just laughing,” JJ said. “But when it comes to the game, we’re serious and all that. We just have a great time out here.”

JJ has had a great time playing baseball since he was 10. There’s just something he gets out of this sport that he doesn’t get from other aspects of his life

“It’s just the love I have for the game,” JJ said. “The teammates and just coaching, and just the joy that I get from playing this game.”

It’s a true family — and family is everything to JJ even, if he’s never been a part of a traditional one. Raised by a single mother, he learned at an early age the importance of positive role models. And when he was 12 years old, a guiding light joined his life through the Big Brother program, David Caras.

“He’s always at the game’s here,” JJ said. “Just puts a smile on my face every time I see him.”

Attend any Seminole baseball game and you’ll catch David in the stands. He sits with JJ’s mother Trisha and they cheer him on. This former Coast Guard aviation electronics chief spends as much time with JJ as he can. He says its give him a greater purpose in life.

They’ve been to Lightning, Rays and Bucs games. Just quality time together. JJ’s father has never really been a constant presence in his life, but David is.

“He’s just a great kid,” David said. “And I think I already told you I feel lucky that he’s my Little. Just unbelievable.”

The relationship he has with his Big Brother is everything to JJ. Just like he needs baseball in his life, he needs a father figure.

“My mom’s always there and I love her, and I always will because she’s just amazing,” JJ said. “But just being able to talk about boy talk, you know, just stuff about life, school, what to expect growing up and all that. He’s just always been there for me and he always will be.”

Big Brother gets to watch Little Brother grow up on and off the baseball field. JJ’s going to continue enjoying this great season with the Warhawks as they chase a state championship. But he’s got his eye on a bigger prize.

“The dream? I want to go pro,” JJ said. “College is next, though. So, one step at a time, one day at a time. And just gotta keep working.”