From Trenton … to the Yankees? Minor leaguers giving it their all in NJ

If you’re a baseball fan, living in Jersey gives you plenty of choices, from the Yankees and the Mets in New York, to the Phillies.

And oh yeah, there’s minor league baseball as well.

The Riversharks play in Camden. You’ve got the Blue Claws based in Lakewood. The New Jersey Jackals play in Montclair. The Somerset Patriots are in Bridgewater. And the Yankees' Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder plays in, you guessed it, Trenton.

“I’m working hard and just putting up as many zeros as I can,” said Travis Hissong, a 25-year-old relief pitcher with a 95 mph fastball.

“Velocity helps but it’s more about spotting up,” he noted.

Hissong, who played four years at Wright State University in Ohio and graduated with a degree in business, said life in the minors isn’t exactly glamorous, but he’s embracing the challenge.

“It’s a grind,” he said “We’re out here from noon or 1 o’clock all day till 11 o’clock every night whether it’s workouts, lifting, conditioning, batting practice, bullpens. You play every day and sometimes there’s workouts after a game, and then back to your apartment to basically sleep, then get up and do it all over again.”

He added “you’ve got to be able to live out of a bag and be ready to move to another city at any time, and start producing right away. The bus rides and long rides definitely do get to you. Sleeping in a bus isn’t as nice as sleeping in a nice bed, but you’ve got to be able to go, and you never know what city you may be playing in or living in.”

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Sometimes at Arm & Hammer Park, the home of the Thunder, the fans number in the hundreds, and frequently mascot Boomer and bat dogs Derby and Rookie get more attention than the players. But Hissong doesn’t mind.

“You know, it’s a fun environment for the fans and that’s what it’s all about really. When it comes to the stadium and the environment, as long as it’s fun for the fans, it’s fine,” he said. “We’re out here putting in work trying to get to the big leagues, so we’re not worried if they’re not paying attention to us or what not.”

His dream of course is to work his way up and earn a spot on the Yankees.

“If it happens your world changes for sure, everything from flying to games instead of long bus rides, staying in five-star hotels instead of not-so-nice hotels, and the salary also goes up quite a bit, too. That’s enough incentive for me to keep working and trying to get there. It’s a grind, but it’s all worth it in the end if you can accomplish your goal and make it to the big leagues.”

There are some perks along the way, including the interaction with kids that show up for games, many times in their Little League uniforms.

“I grew up going to Columbus Clippers games and how I dreamed of getting a shot to play professional baseball,” he said. “It’s definitely worth it to take the time to give them an autograph or shake his hand or talk to him about baseball or talk to him about life. You definitely feel like should give back because there’s a lot of kids that would like this opportunity.”

As far as playing for the Yankees organization, Hissong said “I don’t think there’s a better organization to play for than the Yankees. You’re held to a higher standard. It’s the most recognizable organization in all of sports, so it’s an honor to be here.”

He said there’s no timetable for making it to the majors, he’s just trying to take one step at a time.

“I wouldn’t consider myself a huge prospect. Whatever level I’m at I’m gonna try to compete, put up as many zeros as I can and pray I get a shot one day,” he said. “I want to get to the big leagues and stay there, sometimes you do get there and it just doesn’t pan out. That’s my dream, be there for 10 years, and win a championship, I think."