Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fisher Baltzell is heading to the next level. The Troup High senior baseball player signed to play at Chattahoochee Valley Community College starting in the fall of this year.

“It feels great to have everybody out here to celebrate my signing,” Baltzell said in front of a packed team room in the athletic complex at Troup High School. “About a month ago, I made my decision.”

There is a strong connection between Chattahoochee Valley and Troup High and it led to Baltzell ending up as a Pirate starting next year. Two former Troup baseball players — Ty Medders and Josh McDonald — went to Chattahoochee Valley straight out of high school and had only good things to say about the school to Baltzell.

“Ty and Josh told me very good things about the school and the coaches,” Baltzell said. “The coaches are really good people to be around, and it’s a really good baseball school.”

It’s been a hugely successful year for the Troup baseball team so far, winning the region title and earning the fourth overall seed in 3A. As the team’s only four-year starter, Baltzell has been at the heart of the Tigers’ success.

This is not the first taste of success on the diamond for Baltzell. The senior infielder started on the Troup quarterfinal team in both his freshman and junior seasons.

“He was the only freshman that started during that campaign,” Troup coach Tanner Glisson said. “He’s ultra talented with the glove and his hitting, and he really has come on the last two years and has gotten stronger.”

Baltzell has enjoyed his time on the diamond at Troup, but is looking to end the season with a bang, with the team hunting a state championship. 

Shortstop is home for Baltzell, but the infielder’s versatility will suit him well heading into college. Baltzell has played extensively at second and third base and could find himself at any one of those three positions in college.

“I can play anywhere they ask me, but I love playing shortstop,” Baltzell said. “I do remember starting at second base and locking it down my freshman year. I had no errors.”

College baseball has been on Baltzell’s mind for a couple of years now. As a junior, Baltzell elevated his game and began to think about life on the diamond after high school.

“Last year, I started to hit home runs and take my game to a new level,” he said, smirking. 

The end is nigh for Baltzell’s time at Troup High, but you can’t keep Batzell off the baseball diamond just because he graduates from high school. 

“[Baseball] is where I want to be every day,” Baltzell said, laughing. “That and fishing.”