Ball State Alumnus Magazine, Play Ball

Brad and Ben Snyder share more than a last name. The brothers have a love for baseball that has led them both to impressive baseball careers at Ball State and beyond.

Their talents began in the back yard of their childhood home in Bellevue, Ohio where baseball has always been a Snyder family tradition, "We have baby pictures of me in my diaper watching my dad and brother play whiffle ball in the back yard," Ben remembers.

Brad and Ben's father, Tim Snyder, was a pitcher in high school and continued to play softball while Brad and Ben were growing up. When Tim wasn't playing, he was teaching his sons, recalls Brad. "He put the mitt in one hand and the ball in the other. As he worked with me, I fell in love with [baseball] more and more," he says.

With a three-year age difference, the brothers never expected to play on their high school team together. But as a freshman, Ben was called up from the JV to the varsity roster and given the opportunity to play alongside his then-senior brother.

After a very successful high school career, Brad came to Ball State and began playing right field for the Cardinals in 2001. Brad signed to play at Ball State, he says, because of the camaraderie among the teammates.

Accustomed to the atmosphere of his tightly-knit family, he was looking for a close team. From his preliminary visits to Ball State's campus, he could tell, "there was a solid core-group of guys and nobody had egos. Everyone got along," Brad says.

As a freshman, he started 45 games and earned the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American award. During his sophomore year, Brad played in 56 games and was ranked sixth in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with a .389 batting average.

After the 2003 collegiate season, Brad became a first-round, 18th pick for the Cleveland Indians, and began playing right away in the minor leagues with other new draftees. While Brad was starting his career in professional baseball, Ben was preparing to play in the college ranks. In 2004 he followed Brad's footsteps and became a Ball State Cardinal.

The decision to attend Ball State wasn't a difficult one for Ben. "With Brad being here I already knew the campus. It was a good baseball tradition and a no-brainer to come here," Ben says.

Playing on the same team as his older sibling could have been challenging, but Ben embraced the idea, even choosing to wear Brad's number. After red-shirting his freshman year, Ben pitched three scoreless games and ended the season tied for first in MAC rankings with two shutout games during his first season. Like Brad, he earned the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American award and was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year.

Head Coach Greg Beals, who has coached both Brad and Ben, says the brothers are hard-working and dedicated to their success. "Both are extremely talented physically and have quite a bit of God-given ability," Beals says.

"Their competitive spirits add to their determination." Beals adds that he was never worried about Ben feeling overshadowed by his brother's success. "He's gotten out on the field and had his own success and written his own book, his own history, while he's been here at Ball State," Beals says.

Although the brothers are busy with their own careers, they still remain close. Brad now plays right field for the Akron Aero's AA team, but he contributes to his brother's success via phone. "Brad gives me a call after the starts that I make and tells me things I could have done better," says Ben.

As Ben's sophomore season comes to an end, he has his sights on the major leagues. He looks up to his brother who, while playing for the Aeros, is on the 40-man roster for the Cleveland Indians. Holding a spot on the roster ensures that scouts continue to closely watch a player while the player prepares to make a transition to the majors. Brad's goal is to first advance to the AAA Buffalo Bisons and then to the Cleveland Indians.

Reaching the majors is not an easy feat, according to Beals. "With all the guys laying pin college baseball, only a select few have the chance to play professionally," he says. "There are a lot of good players out there and you've got to work hard and pay your dues to get your chance."

Playing on a team that encourages student-athletes to maximize potential both on and off the field gives Ben the chance to refi ne his skills as he considers trying for the majors. Beals believes Ben will be able to pursue his dream. "Ben has all the tools to play for a long time, and hopefully, make it to the major leagues," Beals says.

Just as he followed his brother to a successful Ball State baseball career, Ben hopes to one day join Brad in the ranks of the professionals. "I've played baseball since as far back as I can remember," Ben says. "It's what I want to do. It's a dream of mine, to play in the major leagues."

Photos for this feature are courtesy of the Snyder family and Ball State Photo Services.