LITTLETON — The best athletes in baseball play shortstop. It’s the position that requires the most interesting combination of athletic prowess as well as baseball smarts, even in Colorado’s Class 5A Continental League.
“Absolutely,” said senior , the best in-state schoolboy shortstop this spring. “You’re the captain of the infield. I like the leadership it requires and the overall athletic ability you have to have to play it.”
Shortstop is where the action is, where all-around stars such as the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins and the Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki show off their gloves and their arms. High school players can’t help but notice.
“Tulo’s a stud,” Opitz said. “I enjoy watching him.”
An all-Colorado wide receiver, Opitz helped lead Heritage to the Class 4A football championship in December. He’s hoping to lead his baseball team to the state crown this spring.
“I think he’s the best position player in the state,” Heritage baseball coach Scott Horman said.
Opitz hopes to pursue a baseball career after high school and has signed to play at Nebraska, where his older brother, Jake, played.
Jake was moved from short to second at Nebraska. He’s now in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system with its Triple-A team.
Shane, who was coached by his father, Jeff, since he first put on a glove, hasn’t known any other position. He doesn’t foresee a position change any time soon.
“All I know is shortstop, and I definitely would like to play it as long as my career lasts,” he said.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
