By Zach Zook

NORMAL – The USA Softball Junior Men’s 19U National Fastpitch team is in Bloomington-Normal preparing for a trip to the International Softball Federation World Championships in Midland, Michigan.

Part of this year’s squad is Bloomington’s Jonathon Broadbear. He made the team after the selection committee reviewed his video and statistics and selected him to be a member of the 22-player team.

“It’s been a lot of fun so far staying in a hotel with the team and then usually we have a few games a day and sometimes a practice. It just depends on the day,” Broadbear said of his experience so far.

Broadbear is playing primarily shortstop for the team. He is also currently a member of Illinois Wesleyan’s baseball team, just recently completing his freshman season.

“For me personally I’ve been more focused and more into the game just because it’s so much quicker,” Broadbear said. “They’re such different games. They’re both so much fun. I love both of them but they’re definitely a lot different.”

Since Broadbear is already 19, this will be his only eligible season to play for the team, but that hasn’t soured his experience.

“Right now I’m just making a lot of good friends and meeting so many new people. That’s what I think I’ll take away the most is just the friendships that I make,” Broadbear said.

Although he won’t be able to play for the 19U junior team after this summer, that doesn’t shut the door on his softball career as he can try out for the men’s national team.

“We’ll see what happens. I would love to keep playing softball, it’s a lot of fun. So I would love to keep playing if the opportunity presents itself,” Broadbear said.

The team is in town until Thursday. The WBSC Junior Men’s World Championship will be held in Midland, Michigan from July 24 to July 30.

Zach Zook can be reached at [email protected].