If you ask Senior Baseball Player and Business Management major Andy Chitwood where he is from, he will affectionately say, “God’s blind spot,” which for mapping purposes is actually known as Muscoda, Wisc. It was there, growing up on a small farm in a tiny town, that Chitwood was ingrained with the determination and dedication that drives him now in his fourth and final year of Muskie baseball.
In high school Chitwood or “Chit” (as the entire team and Lakeland campus know him) was a wrestler as well as a baseball player, but when he made the decision to come to Lakeland he focused his efforts on baseball. His career started off bright at Lakeland, earning the NAC Freshman of the Year Award for his pitching accomplishments despite missing the final five games of the season due to suspension as a result of off-field issues.
Similar off the field instances, often involving copious amounts of alcohol, played a part in Chitwood’s next two seasons as well. These off-field issues are something Chitwood is determined to eradicate this season, saying, “This is my last chance, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Those few hiccups aside, Chitwood has been a staple in the Lakeland lineup his entire career, not only as one of the team’s top and most consistent starting pitchers, but as a utility man who finds himself playing whatever position the team needs him to the most.
With the graduation of pitching ace Mike Ruzek, who has since taken on the position of pitching coach with the team, everyone will be counting on Chitwood to be the anchor for a largely inexperienced pitching staff, as well as a leader for the entire team.
This is a task that Chitwood’s teammates are confident he is up to.
Junior Starting Catcher and Criminal Justice major Brenton Steudel says of Chitwood’s leadership skills, “He doesn’t say a lot, but when he does his teammates respect him and understand that what he’s saying needs to get done.”
Given that Chitwood is the only senior on Lakeland’s roster that has seen significant playing time, he hopes to serve not only as a leader, but as a role model for the younger players.
Junior Outfielder Charlie Sparrow says of Chitwood, “He’s a solid, dependable player who always keeps a level head.”
Fellow Senior Utility Player Justin Reminger says, “I’ve played with Chit for four years now and he’s always been committed to the program, and wants nothing more than to win.”
With those kinds of traits, Chitwood should be setting a fine example for the up-and-coming class of Muskie baseball players to follow, and hopefully will get the Muskies to their first .500 season since Chitwood’s freshman year.
Chitwood says about the upcoming season, “I’m a little worried about our inexperience at a few positions, but those guys should settle in with time, and we have enough talent on this team that if we put in the work there’s no reason this shouldn’t be the best season Lakeland’s had since I’ve been here.”
With a leader as hardworking and determined as Andrew “Chit” Chitwood aiming to make his last year of baseball a success, most are inclined to agree.