Oak Harbor High School junior James Besaw, seen here in his Washington Rush uniform. (Photos courtesy Teresa Besaw)
Besaw gets ready to rip one during select ball.
A throwback to little league days, with James (center) hanging out with sister Kenzie and brother David.
Passing on the love of the game to a new generation.
“I think baseball has helped me out in life and kept me out of trouble.”
An athlete for all seasons, James Besaw has played just about every sport possible over the years, but at a certain point baseball became his true passion.
“I enjoy playing and watching the game,” he said. “I don’t dislike any teams or players, I like to watch them all.
“It’s having fun, doing something I love. I like being part of a team.”
A junior at Oak Harbor High School, Besaw, who flips between first base and the outfield, has been all-in on baseball the past three years.
High school ball in the spring, select ball in the summer, then fall ball, before rolling right into workouts to get ready for another season of high school and select play.
When he’s not wearing the gold and purple for OHHS, Besaw pulls on the uniform of the Washington Rush these days. Tournament play, which kicks off in Tacoma this weekend, keeps him busy.
The youngest of seven (he has three sisters and three brothers), Besaw made his diamond debut at four, inspired by his older siblings.
“I wanted to play ball like my big brother David,” he said.
Over the years, he’s honed his work ethic and it’s helped him tremendously.
Besaw lists his strengths as “speed, hitting and (being) one of the hardest-working people on the team,” but, with an eye on playing college ball at a school “that has a good medical program,” he’s always striving to get just a little bit better.
“Areas I would like to work on are just continuing to train and get better,” he said. “I hope to have my best year my senior year and I hope to be a good leader to the younger players.”
He’s already excelling at that, quietly helping one freshman with his algebra while also finding time to assist a sophomore in getting some extra practice time.
As is typical for the low-key Besaw, he doesn’t call attention to his behind-the-scenes work, but his mother notices.
“I am biased and think he is a great kid, of course,” said mom Teresa. “He is quiet and mature. I think having all those older brothers and sisters is why he is so mature for his age.
“Some find him hard to read, but if you get to know him, you know he is funny and has a great smile. He loves to teach kids to play ball and also likes to help his younger teammates.”
Besaw, who has earned academic letters to go with his athletic ones (requiring a 3.5 or higher GPA for two semesters in a row), enjoys hanging out with his friends, watching sports movies (“mostly the real-life story kind”) and his science class.
He plans to go into the medical field after school, but is still debating exactly what part of that field to pursue.
“I am still figuring out where to go with that,” Besaw said. “Thinking about physical therapy or sports medicine.”
Through baseball, school and everything else, he greatly appreciates the support and encouragement he’s received from his large family, though he singles his parents out for special praise.
“They have helped me do well in school and supported me with whatever I need for school and sports.”
