Linn-Mar senior Jaxon Kramer has a passion for baseball

MARION — Jaxon Kramer’s summers are filled with baseball. And more baseball.

“You are kind of giving half of your summer away for a lot of baseball, but it turns out good. It’s worth it,” Kramer said.

The Linn-Mar senior started playing baseball when he was 3 years old. He had a variety of reasons for starting, but it was mostly because he liked being active.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t really like to sit around a lot,” the 18-year-old Kramer said.

As a kid, he tried a lot of sports, but baseball was the one that stuck.

“Baseball ended up being my love,” Kramer said.

That love has shown throughout his 15 years on the field. He will continue his passion in the fall at Des Moines Area Community College.

Kramer is a three-year starter at Linn-Mar. He is batting .383 this season with one home run and 12 RBIs. According to his coach, Kyle Rodenkirk, Kramer covers a lot of ground in the outfield and is a good hitter, along with being one of their team leaders.

He also is 1-1 on the pitching mound.

Baseball is a huge commitment, yet Kramer sticks to it because it is something important to him. He still finds time for his family, however. He goes to practice every morning and then tries to have dinner with his family every night.

“A lot of the weekends are meant for family time and friends,” he said. “Then in the week, you are really locked in on your practices and games.

Kramer urges upcoming freshmen baseball players to keep pushing.

“How you deal with failure will show what kind of outcome you will end up getting,” he said.

Although he is only 18, Kramer continues to be an inspiration to those around him.