High-school senior plays for brother and former York player at ACC.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
Elmhurst native Michael Bieterman’s college baseball selection came into focus rather quickly.
Bieterman, who played his freshman season at Timothy Christian and now is a senior catcher on the Aurora Central Catholic High School team, switched travel teams last fall to the well-known Top Tier organization.
“We got invited to come to a college showcase and then Southern Illinois called me the night after the showcase and I ended up going on a visit after that,” said Bieterman.
And now Bieterman will continue his baseball career at SIU. He noted he also had interest from other Division I schools.
“I went on some other visits and would really like it, but I would get back and I would say, ‘But there is one thing,’ he said. “On the way home from Southern Illinois, I loved it and there was nothing else to say about it. It was a situation where I couldn’t see myself not being here.”
To say the least, Bieterman is thrilled to have the opportunity to play Division I college baseball.
“This is huge. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about as a kid and as I was getting older and growing in my faith and as an athlete,” he said. “It doesn’t feel real. It’s a huge relief. You don’t know who is going to give you an offer, but you keep going and you work your way through it.
“Going into freshman year of high school, my hope always was to play college baseball. I knew I was capable, but I knew I had to go out and play and put in a lot of hard work. There have been a lot of good times and a lot of mental breakdowns. Going into senior year everything started to come together. The support I’ve received from my parents, my brother, my coaches and the high school has been huge.”
Bieterman said the coaching staff was one of the tipping points for him at SIU.
“The coaches are top-of-the-class. They are class acts,” he said. “They are great guys. I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else. They made me feel like I was part of their family right away. It’s definitely one of the main reasons I’m going there.”
Bieterman transferred to ACC halfway through his sophomore year. “It’s been great athletic-wise and I’ve grown a lot as a person,” he said. “I get to play for my brother (Sean Bieterman, ACC’s head baseball coach and athletic director), which is a different experience. It’s something most people never get to experience.”
Bieterman enjoys having the opportunity to have his brother as his coach. Sean Bieterman, a Villa Park resident, is a York graduate and the former head coach at now defunct Driscoll Catholic in Addison. Additionally, he runs the long-standing Elmhurst Baseball and Softball League summer baseball camp.
“I know when I do something wrong he’s going to get on me, but I know he wants me to grow and he’s helped me grow as an athlete and as a person. It’s been great,” he said. “I can’t wait to get this season started. I think we’re going to have a great season and we have the ability to do some great things.”
Bieterman also heaped major praise on his parents, Rick and Sue, for their help over the years.
“I started out in Elmhurst Baseball and Softball League and my parents were my coaches and they’ve helped me out a lot,” he said. “They took the time to help get me better and get me everywhere. They put in a lot of effort and time and money into all of this. Without my parents, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
Bieterman, who said he plans on majoring in sports management or telecommunications, would like to see how far the sport of baseball can take him.
“I absolutely would love to play beyond college,” he said. “I know that will take a lot more than just reps. It’s going to take a lot of strength and work. I will put in the work. It’s a definite dream of mine.”
