By Jonathan Misura

Where It All Started

I still remember the first time I picked up a baseball glove. I was just five years old, a little kid in Milltown, New Jersey, with a big dream. My parents signed me up for Little League, and I was hooked from day one. Back then, I didn’t care about batting averages or stats—I just wanted to be out there with my teammates, having fun and learning the game. The smell of the grass, the sound of the bat hitting the ball, the dirt on my uniform—it all felt like home to me.

Learning Discipline Early

While I was falling in love with baseball, I was also training in karate at Golden Tiger Dojo. That experience taught me discipline, focus, and the value of practice. I didn’t realize it then, but all those hours spent perfecting my forms and learning how to control my mind and body helped shape the way I approach sports today. Karate built the foundation of respect and perseverance that I carried with me to the baseball field.

Middle and High School Grind

I went to Joyce Kilmer Middle School and then on to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison. As I got older, baseball became more than just a hobby—it became a passion and a serious part of my life. I spent hours practicing after school, lifting weights, and working with coaches to improve my swing, my throwing mechanics, and my game sense. High school baseball was more competitive, and it taught me the importance of hard work, time management, and resilience. I wasn’t always the biggest or the strongest, but I learned to work smarter and train harder.

Balancing school and sports started to become a challenge during this time. Late nights studying after practice, early morning workouts before class—it was tough, but it helped me grow. I knew that if I wanted to play at the next level, I had to stay focused both on the field and in the classroom.

The College Leap

Today, I’m proud to be a student at East Stroudsburg University, continuing both my academic and athletic journey. College baseball is a whole new world—faster pace, tougher competition, and higher expectations. But I love it. Every time I step on the field, I think about that little kid in Milltown who just wanted to play the game. Now I get to represent my school and compete against some of the best players in the region.

Balancing college classes with practices, games, and travel isn’t easy. Some days are exhausting. But I’ve learned how to manage my schedule, ask for help when I need it, and take care of my body. Nutrition, sleep, and recovery are just as important as practice now. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

The Syracuse Salt Cats Opportunity

This summer, I have the chance to play for the Syracuse Salt Cats—a dream come true. Playing summer ball gives me the opportunity to continue developing my skills, meet players from other schools, and showcase what I can do in front of coaches and scouts. It’s also a time to have fun and enjoy the game in a new environment. I’m pumped for the season and ready to give it everything I’ve got.

Lessons Along the Way

Baseball has taught me more than just how to hit and field. It’s taught me how to lead, how to handle failure, and how to stay mentally tough. There have been games where I struck out three times, made an error, or just didn’t perform the way I wanted to. But every setback has pushed me to be better. I’ve learned how to pick myself up, stay confident, and keep moving forward.

I’ve also made some of the best friends of my life through baseball. The bond you build with your teammates—through wins, losses, road trips, and hard practices—is something special. We push each other to be better and celebrate each other’s victories. That kind of camaraderie is what makes the journey so meaningful.

What’s Next

I don’t know exactly where this road will lead. Maybe I’ll get a chance to play professionally someday, or maybe I’ll take what I’ve learned and apply it to a different career. But I do know that baseball will always be a part of my life. The lessons, the memories, the grind—it’s all shaped who I am today.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give to any young athlete reading this, it would be this: love the game, work hard, and enjoy every moment. The journey isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. From Little League to college baseball, every step has been an opportunity to grow—not just as a player, but as a person.