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For the Love of the Game
Freshman John Wilson is proof that age is nothing
more than a mindset. And his mind is firmly set in his
early twenties.
 At the age of 50, Wilson took on not just one, but two
challenges unique to most 50-year-olds. He not only
began his college career as a student at Penn State
Altoona, he also walked onto the baseball field as a player.
At an age when most people are curtailing their physical
activity level, Wilson
stepped his up.
The Lions outfielder
admits he was skeptical
about actually playing
baseball at Ivyside. “I
didn’t know I’d have an
opportunity to go out for
the team,” Wilson says. “I
was a little leery because
I’m 50 and I thought that
would be held against me.”
At this time last year, a
typical day for Wilson
included the usual rhythm
of the daily grind, getting
up early and putting in
another day at work. As a drug and alcohol counselor in
Pennsylvania, Wilson obtained his job certification before
a college degree was required for such a position. But
after recently applying for a job at a state prison, he
realized that the requirements had changed and he now
needed that college degree to advance in his profession.
Fast forward one year and a typical day now is filled with
classes and books, batting practice, and hanging out with
people not even half his age. And Wilson is enjoying the
change of pace.
“Being in school is really exciting,” Wilson says. “It’s
something new to me and I really have to concentrate on
time management and developing good study habits.
“It’s been a rewarding experience, and I don’t let my age interfere. I
feel as though I’m young at heart, and that I’m young in other ways,
too. I have a lot of growing up to do in a lot of areas. ”
Wilson’s teammates have been especially attentive in
helping him with whatever he needs. “The guys have been
great. They’ve offered their assistance no matter what
kind of help I need,” Wilson said. “I have a good time
with the guys. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I
don’t let my age interfere. I feel as though I’m young at
heart, and that I’m young in other ways, too. I have a lot
of growing up to do in a lot of areas. ”
Wilson has a long history in the sport of baseball. He
participated in the Altoona City League for 18 years,
where he competed with and against current and former
Lions players, as well as Head Coach Joe Piotti.
He’s modest when asked to measure his talent on the
field, but liberal in discussing his passion.
“It was always a dream for me to play baseball,” Wilson
said. “I never really was that gifted but I just worked at it
because I loved the game so much.”
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Wilson did everything he
could to be around baseball. He became a ballpark rat of
sorts, hanging around
Forbes Field and later
Three Rivers Stadium.
Attending all of the home
games, the young Wilson
got to know quite a few
players, including Manny
Mota, whom he met in
1969. States Wilson, “I used
to bring Manny a pack of
chewing gum to every game
and he’d give me bats and
tickets to games.”
One former player with
whom Wilson formed a
very special relationship
was Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker, whom he met
in the 1970s when Baker was with the Atlanta Braves.
“He’s a great guy and he’s been a great inspiration to me,”
Wilson states. “He considers me a brother and a friend.”
The extent of their friendship truly was felt by Wilson when
he discovered he was too late to apply for a grant to attend
college. Baker told Wilson not to wait around for grants.
“I talked to him [Baker] over the phone and he told me
he was sending a check,” Wilson marvels. “Low and
behold, a couple of weeks later a check was in my hands.
He’s just an amazing person and it makes me a little
emotional, thinking about the things he’s done for me.”
While Wilson may feel inspired by the things that Baker
has done for him, there is a group of ballplayers at Penn
State Altoona who are finding a little inspiration in the
way Wilson approaches the game and life.
“Everyone who knows John has so much respect for
him,” says teammate Brady Waltz. “He’s got so much
knowledge of the game and he loves to play. He proves
that it’s never too late to start something new.”
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