Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
As the only senior on Carbon Hill High School’s varsity baseball team, Samuel Aaron knows what it means to lead. He’s the one his teammates look to for guidance, and he takes that responsibility seriously.
Baseball has been part of Samuel’s life for as long as he can remember. “I’ve played ever since I was three,” he says. Some of his earliest memories involve picking up a bat that felt too big for his hands and learning the game that would become second nature. Football, though, was a different story. “I was talked into it,” he admits with a laugh. “Coaches and teammates kept asking me to play, and I finally said, ‘Yeah, sure.’” Now, he’s glad he did. He plays wide receiver and cornerback in the fall, then moves to the pitcher’s mound, shortstop, and second base in the spring.
Ranked second in AHSAA Class 3A for pitching, Samuel struck out 20 batters last season and holds a top spot in his area’s rankings. But for him, the numbers aren’t what matter most. “The family is the best part of this team. We’re a brotherhood,” he says. “I don’t know any other schools that are like this.”
Being the only senior means stepping up in ways that don’t always show up in stat sheets. When asked how he leads, Samuel keeps it simple. “By being a role model. I try to be the leader that everyone can count on.” That leadership isn’t about setting the tone, encouraging his teammates, and making sure the younger guys know someone believes in them.
Faith is a constant in Samuel’s life. He trusts God to help him balance school, sports, and life, believing that if he keeps his priorities in order, everything else will fall into place. The verse Matthew 19:26 —“With God all things are possible”— is stitched onto his baseball glove and tattooed on his arm, a reminder of the strength he plays with every time he steps onto the field.
As he looks ahead to his final season, he hopes to help his team reach at least the second round of the playoffs, if not further. “That would be a big accomplishment for us,” he says.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a career as a mechanic, a path that fits well with his passion for drag racing. It’s a different kind of precision and focus than baseball, but both require dedication, patience, and a willingness to keep learning.
From the field to the garage, Samuel Aaron is ready for whatever comes next, and he’ll take it on with the same determination that’s shaped him every step of the way. WL
