“One of the hardest things about playing professional baseball is that seven months out of the year you’re gone traveling away from family,” said Jeremy Eierman.
Such is the struggle for the former Warsaw and Missouri State star, currently playing for the Midland RockHounds. But in his first trip back to Hammons field since 2018, he’s made up for lost time.
“It’s awesome,” said Jeremy’s dad John Eierman, who attended the game with several members of the family. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. So many great memories from here. So many games we watched in this park. So much fun with Missouri State. He was looking forward to coming back.”
They’ll be in Springfield all week. Jeremy’s mom, dad, and grandparents attended the first game. His wife Kendra and 18-month-old son Jentzen will be here later this week “Being able to see my wife and my son back home, it’ll definitely be a blessing to have them with me full time here,” Jeremy said.
Jeremy got on the first flight to Missouri after the RockHounds’ last game on Sunday.
It was a chance to get in some turkey hunting and reconnect with the place where he first fell in love with the game. “Get to sleep in my own bed,” Jeremy said. “It really is a mental reset. Just to get back to your roots a bit.”
“Turkey season was opening,” John said. “It just couldn’t work out better that he came home. Me and my older son Johnny and Jeremy, they both got birds. It was great. Those are great memories.”
In his first at-bat back at Hammons, Jeremy hit an infield single. His dream of playing in the big leagues is still in front of him. And this week at Hammons Field so are the people who will help him get there. “Being from a small town where those things really seem impossible, and having the opportunity that, it is possible,” Jeremy said. “Things come together that I could accomplish that dream.”
At least for one week, the worst part of being a pro ball player won’t be so bad.
