C.J. Goetz has traded in shoulder pads for a baseball glove with the West Jacksonport Ports. Picture by Herb Gould.
After six(!) soccer seasons as a Wisconsin Badger, the ultimate two beginning at exterior linebacker, C.J. Goetz has traded in his shoulder pads for a Door County League baseball glove.
And when he did that, there was no query that he would play for West Jacksonport.
“I grew up simply two blocks away from right here, so. . . ’’ his faculty sweetheart and spouse, Anika, stated, holding their 6-month-old son as she watched the Ports battle Baileys Harbor on West Jacksonport’s venerable diamond.
And whereas there are fewer bruises concerned, “It’s simply as aggressive,’’ she stated. “He loves the blokes, loves the workforce.’’
A multi-sport standout at Catholic Memorial in Waukesha, Goetz performs third base and pitches. After a redshirt 12 months, he was a five-time Badger letterman, because of the additional 12 months granted throughout COVID. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Muskego native performed in 59 video games at Wisconsin, tied for the college report.
After ending his faculty profession in 2023, he stated, “I went to the Packers’ [free agent camp] in 2024. That lasted very shortly. I had an excellent profession, however it was time to maneuver on. I wouldn’t change a factor.’’
He already had settled in Fish Creek with Anika, who works in her mother and father’ dwelling furnishing enterprise, Maxwell’s Home, in Egg Harbor.
With soccer within the rear-view mirror, Goetz, who works for Ausdal Monetary Companions, now has his foot on the pedal within the Door County League: “With the ability to compete might be the largest factor,’’ he stated. “Ever since I used to be a child, I performed sports activities. And I’m a really aggressive individual. So that is actually enjoyable.’’
Goetz had it entering into Week 2 at Maplewood, when he struck out 10 Mets. That recreation was particularly notable to Goetz’ good pal, Riley Cordier. As Cordier, the Ports’ second baseman, moved in to discipline a slow-rolling floor ball between the mound and first base, Goetz had the identical concept, and so they collided.
“I used to be like a bug on a windshield,’’ stated Cordier, who’s constructed like a placekicker.
Goetz didn’t fare as nicely on the mound towards Baileys Harbor, when he issued 4 walks that led to a six-run A’s outburst. Trailing 7-3, the Ports rallied to win 11-10 in 11 innings.
Goetz additionally had a attempting day at bat, the place he reached on a stroll and a hit-by-pitch however went 0-for-4 in any other case, together with a pair of strikeouts. On a couple of event, the bat hit the bat rack fairly exhausting. As he stated, he’s a competitor.
After the sport, although, he was all smiles as he held Chad Justin Goetz III. “My dad’s Chad. I’m C.J. And that is Justin,’’ he stated.
After its 3-0 begin, West Jacksonport misplaced 10-5 on the all the time difficult journey to Washington Island. However the Ports have been nonetheless tied for second place, an encouraging begin after they endured 5 one-run losses that led to a disappointing 4-10 report in 2024.
“Final 12 months there have been numerous tight ones. It’s sort of enjoyable to get an excellent begin,’’ stated Alec Schartner, who has been swinging a very popular bat for the Ports.
Ports supervisor Eric Bley is cautiously optimistic.
“Tough one, however we’ll take it,’’ he stated after surviving the shorthanded A’s. “It’s early. We’ve our full squad, and we’ve performed three groups that didn’t have a full squad. Within the subsequent couple of weeks, we’ll discover out what we now have.’’
Bley could be very comfortable, although, to have Goetz for his first full season. Final 12 months, the previous Badger was solely eligible at mid-season, after he logged the required six months as a Door County resident to play within the league.
“He’s simply an athlete, you realize. He performed D-1 soccer,’’ Bley stated. “It helps us solidify the infield, and pitching-wise. Luke Steebs wasn’t right here final week, so [Goetz] began for us, and he gave us six stable innings. Struck out 10. He throws warmth, however he’s received some junk, too. He simply will get a bit wild every now and then.’’
Herb Gould’s new deep-dive biography, Lambeau: The Epic Lifetime of Earl Louis “Curly’’ Lambeau, The Man Who Invented the Inexperienced Bay Packers, is now accessible at bit.ly/GouldLambeauBook. Contact Herb at [email protected] for signed copies.
