10-year-old breaks into majors at Warner Robins American Little League

WARNER ROBINS -- The major baseball program at Warner Robins American Little League is for 11- to 12-year-olds.

Jacob Pierce is breaking that mold.

The 10-year-old moved up to the ranks to play with his elder teammates this season after playing last spring in the AAA division.

Jacob plays a myriad of positions on the defensive side of the ball for the major league Athletics.

“They are always in on the action,” his mother April Pierce said about his two favorite positions, catcher and short stop.

The Bonaire Elementary School fifth-grader isn’t intimidated by being the youngest on the team. Quite the opposite, his father Darin Pierce said.

“It drives them to get better,” he said.

Both parents wanted Jacob to move up to the majors to give him more competition.

Not only does Jacob play for WRALL, but he is also a member of a travel ball team and he competes in wrestling and football.

Darin Pierce said he takes no credit for any of Jacob’s athletic abilities.

“That all comes from his mom,” who was voted most athletic at Swainsboro High School, Darin Pierce said.

Out of all of Jacob’s three siblings, his mother said, he is the only one who would say physical education, lunch and recess are his top subjects in school.

“He’s very competitive,” said April Pierce.

Jacob started his baseball career at age 3, playing pee wee ball.

Though very competitive while he’s in game mode, his mother said he also has a tender heart.

His teachers tell her how he pulls in other children who might not get chosen to play during recess to let them participate as well.

April Pierce said most of the players in the majors think Jacob is the same age.

“They believe he’s telling a lie,” she said.

His older cousin, Cole Hook, who is 11, plays on the team with Jacob.

Because they’ve been playing together since they were preschoolers, the two can read each other better to make plays.

“The enjoy playing with each other,” said April Pierce.

Jacob is proving his worth on both sides of the field, hitting about .750 batting average for the week of April 16.

He said the opportunity to hit pitches by 12-year-olds is “beast,” his word for awesome.

This story was originally published May 2, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "10-year-old breaks into majors at Warner Robins American Little League ."