Ridgewood’s Cutshall headed to Heidelberg

Ridgewood High School’s Memphis Cutshall (center) is headed to Heidelberg University to play baseball. He is pictured with his dad and mom Mark and Dawn Cutshall. (Seibert Studios)

Ever since he was young, Memphis Cutshall wanted to play college baseball.

“I didn’t care where,” said the Ridgewood High School senior. “Wherever I could get the chance I was going to do the best I could and take the chance I was given.”

The opportunity to play college ball was presented to him by Heidelberg University.

“It’s a beautiful campus,” Cutshall said. “It reminds me of home. It’s a small town and the coaches actually came out and watched me. They also kept in constant contact with me. You could tell they cared and wanted you.”

Cutshall, who is a middle infielder, played baseball for Ridgewood and the Cy Young Diamondbacks travel ball team.

“I met a lot of friends during my years of travel ball,” he said. “We went across the state and the country. I also was exposed to different cultures. We played a Mexican team and they all spoke Spanish. Baseball really brings people together though because it’s a team sport.”

Cutshall is very thankful for all those who helped him work toward being able to play at the next level.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my parents,” he said. “They put a lot of time and money behind travel ball. I’ve been very fortunate too because my dad did things like putting a batting cage in our barn. I also want to thank my travel team Coach Kevin Sutton. He helped me mature on and off the field. Coach Chad Lahna and Coach Travis Simmons helped me out a lot too and so did the whole coaching staff at Ridgewood.”

Cutshall plans to major in sports management at Heidelberg.

“I’m very proud of him,” said Dawn Cutshall, Memphis’ mother. “I have so many videos and pictures of him doing amazing plays. Just watching him is so much fun and it’s been nice to see him grow with baseball. We started travel ball when he was 11 and traveled all over Ohio and to different states for tournaments. It opens your eyes to the competition and it really made him more determined. He eats, sleeps, and drinks baseball. He’s probably the hardest working kid I’ve seen when it comes to baseball. His dedication is awesome, and he likes to teach younger kids about what he loves to do.”

Mark, Memphis’ dad, said he developed a love for the game at a very young age.

“When he was one he’d go to my older kids games and couldn’t wait for them to be done so he could run the bases and slide into home,” Mark said. “He loves the game and always has.”

Mark also credited Coach Sutton for helping get Memphis ready for college ball.

“Playing travel ball with him was probably the biggest thing that got us pointed toward thinking about college and all the work ethic it would take,” Mark said. “It was a good transition into high school. I want to thank everyone that worked with him and helped us get him here.”

Category: High School, Sports