Reece Wissinger, like many young boys in the United States, grew up playing baseball, dreaming of one day becoming a professional baseball player.
Unlike most youngsters, Wissinger is still pursuing his dream.
Wissinger, a graduate of Burlington High School and Southeastern Community College and former Burlington Bee, is working his way up the ladder after signing a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last August.
After spending last year and the first month of this season playing for the Dunedin Blue Jays, Toronto’s low Class A team in Florida.
He got the call this week from the Blue Jays and now is a member of the Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays’ high Class A affiliate.
Wissinger, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, is getting ever closer to his goal of playing in the Major Leagues.
“I’m very excited,” Wissinger said in a telephone interview shortly after his call up. “I got a call from my manager (Ryan Casteel) and he asked me if I had my passport. I said yes, why? He told me I was to report to Vancouver immediately. I was on a plane by 4:30 a.m. and landing in Vancouver a few hours later. Within 10 hours I traveled from one coast to the other. It was a very long travel day, but I am very excited for the opportunity.”
Wissinger’s parents, who moved to the Quad Cities several years ago, were planning to fly to Florida to see their son pitch. They, too, had to change their travel plans.
“I called them and told them to trade those tickets for tickets to Vancouver,” Wissinger said. “Hopefully in the next couple weeks they can come up here and see me pitch.”
Wissinger appeared in six games for Dunedin this season. In 10 innings, he allowed 10 hits and six runs, five earned. He walked three and struck out 12. He had a 4.50 earned-run averaged and 1.30 WHIP.
Wissinger made his debut with Vancouver on Wednesday in a 7-0 loss to Hillsboro, pitched two innings, allowing two earned runs with one walk and one strikeout.
For Wissinger, it has been a whirlwind week. Now, he is trying to get himself acclimated to a new town, a new team and new teammates.
“I came straight to the stadium after my plane landed,” Wissinger said. “I’m just trying to get to know everyone and get locked in for the games. I am very thankful to be here.”
Wissinger has been a relief pitcher for the Blue Jays’ organization. He throws in the mid- to upper 90s. He said he will do anything they ask of him.
“I will still be used at the back end of games or maybe a middle reliever. It all depends on what they want me to do,” Wissinger said. “It’s such a neat thing to be playing big league baseball. It’s unbelievable. I’m having so much fun.
“My advice for young kids it to keep chasing your dreams.”