SOURCE: BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
On July 13, Eric Frain reached the Promised Land — he signed a contract with the Camden Riversharks, officially earning a spot in professional baseball.
Four days later, it all disappeared.
The Parkwood resident has had an emotional week, first starting his pro career with a bang, recording his first hit during his very first at-bat. Then, four days later, the Riversharks released him. Frain had only competed in three games.
His heartbreak was short-lived, however. On Monday, he was back on the active roster.
“They brought a couple guys back off injury. I guess I was low man on the totem pole, so they released me,” said Frain, referring to outfielder Evan Crawford and third baseman Mike Costanzo, who recently returned from injuries. “I didn’t know what to think, honestly. It was there, and then it was gone, and then it was back again.”
Breaking into the professional baseball scene is usually accompanied by a level of uncertainty. It is not uncommon for players to be released and resigned.
“In professional baseball, unfortunately that happens,” said Riversharks manager Chris Widger on Tuesday. “In this league — the way guys get hurt — a lot of times we don’t have the money to fly a guy cross-country to fill in for a few days. We try to find local guys, younger guys to be on call. Eric has been great. We called him yesterday and wanted him back on the field and he was here in a half-hour.”
“I knew what my role was when I signed my contract. I knew I could have been there for a day,” Frain added. “I have the same role. I just have to stay within myself and be the best I can be while I’m here.”
The Riversharks compete in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Many of the current Riversharks have MLB experience, including former New York Yankee pitcher Steve Garrison and first baseman Joel Guzman, who played two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Seeing the other guys do it — excel at this level — makes me want it even more,” said Frain. “Baseball is totally different at this level. The players in general are so much better. The talent they bring is unreal.”
The Riversharks are currently 31–52 overall and 3–10 in the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League. They fell to the Somerset Patriots, 2–1, on Tuesday. Frain, 22, has recorded three hits — including a double in Tuesday’s game — and three walks in his five games donning a Riversharks jersey. He has struck out twice, earning a .231 atting average.
“Eric has done a great job. It’s tough for a young guy like him. In this league, it will take a guy three or four professional seasons to get to this level of independent ball. He’s playing against 25-year-old guys who played professional baseball for many seasons,” said Widger. “It’s a lot for somebody that young to take to, but he’s handled himself very well. He may be here for three days or three weeks. We don’t know right now. But he’s doing a great job doing what we ask him to do. He plays hard, plays the right way.”
Frain’s journey to Campbell’s Field was an impressive one. A 2011 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School, he scored All-City honors twice and was a two-time Carpenter Cup selection. He went on to compete at Gloucester County College for two years, helping the Roadrunners become the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III World Series champions in 2013.
From there, Frain transferred to Bloomsburg University, where he earned PSAC East 1st team honors and was named to the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association Atlantic Region second team. He finished his career with the Huskies with a .339 batting average, including 100 hits in two seasons.
“Playing on those teams really prepared me. I’m playing against very good players. Going out there every day — just going to work and get better at what I do — helped me in the end,” said Frain. “What really motivates me is my dad and all of my former coaches pushing me to be the best I can be, and also having fun at the same time.”
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound middle infielder competed in his first home game on Monday night. The Riversharks didn’t walk away with the victory, but for Frain, it was a dream come true.
“Playing a professional baseball game at home was really special,” he said. “My family doesn’t have to travel too far to see me play. When I was younger, I went to see the Riversharks a good amount. It was pretty cool playing on that field.”
“I love this game the same as when I first picked up a baseball,” he added. “Baseball is year-round. I’m out there every day, practicing, competing and having fun. I just love the game — plain and simple.” ••
Raider to Rivershark: Eric Frain, a 2011 Archbishop Ryan High School graduate, signed with the Camden Riversharks on July 13. Frain, 22, has recorded three hits and three walks in his five games donning a Riversharks jersey. TIMES FILE PHOTO
