NATCHEZ — If the school allowed him, Ty Brown would be doing summersaults and cartwheels down the hallways of Cathedral High School.

That’s because he’s getting his opportunity to play at the next level with his commitment to Millsaps College, and for a player with a passion for baseball, it’s allowed him to sit proudly outside of Cathedral’s main office.

Grinning while sporting his letterman jacket, Brown said his commitment to play baseball at Milsapps is a nice first step in obtaining scholarships.

“I just mainly want to try to get as many academic scholarships as possible,” Brown said. “I want to try and help my parents as best I can.”

It was hard work and dedication that put Brown in a position to get a scholarship, and it’s those same attributes that will allow him to succeed at the next level, Cathedral head baseball coach Craig Beesley said.

“He knows it’s going to be another challenge to produce at the next level,” Beesley said. “But if it comes down to hard work and effort, he’s got a chance.”

Brown is following in the footsteps of Cathedral’s starting catcher before him, Caleb Upton, who is now a main contributor for Hinds Community College’s baseball team. Beesley is thankful that he’s had back-to-back “quality people.”

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have several kids signing and getting to play at the next level,” Beesley said.

The extra hours of hitting the ball off the tee when no one else wanted to take extra reps allowed Brown to attract interest at the next level.

“It’s those days that people don’t want to go out and hit with you or throw and you’d go out there by yourself that make possibilities,” Brown said.

Though he spent days practicing alone, Brown said more often than not, he would have company, getting those extra swings in alongside him.

“Luckily I was blessed with good friends, who would always come and hit with me,” Brown said. “Like Caleb Upton at Hinds (Community College) would come hit with me when he would come back home.”

Now that the extra reps have paid off, Brown would like to celebrate in style.

“If they let me, I’d be doing cartwheels and summersaults down right there,” said Brown, pointing toward the hallway.

His parents, Travis and Connie Brown, walked into the school elated about their son’s opportunity, proud that he became a leader at Cathedral.

Upton helped mentor Brown in becoming the leader he is today. With a consistent bat, Beelsey said Brown has helped his Green Wave team record a 9-1 record his senior season.

“Some of the guidance that Caleb gave him as an underclassman has definitely paid off for him,” Beesley said.

Don’t try and ask Brown how his numbers are this season either. He couldn’t tell you simply because he pays no attention to it.

“I don’t like to look at stats during the season,” Brown said. “That’s not the way I like to play. I play for the love of the game.”

Luckily for Brown, Millsaps was paying attention to him and his zeal for the game.