Florence native Erik Ostberg chosen in Banana Ball draft, opts for unique baseball opportunity

Erik Ostberg didn’t get a phone call or a meeting, he got a direct message on Instagram. That’s how the Florence native learned the Banana Ball Championship League was interested in him.

The Loco Beach Coconuts, one of the two freshly-formed teams in the ever-expanding, six-team BBCL, quickly took Ostberg off the board, selecting the former Williston Northampton phenom in the fourth round of the Banana Ball draft on Nov. 13.

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Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was the first overall selection to the Indianapolis Clowns in this year’s draft. The Clowns are the other new squad in the BBCL, along with the Coconuts.

Although the league is entering its first year of existence, Ostberg was aware of what Banana Ball was all about. As a competitive player and self-proclaimed baseball traditionalist, Ostberg initially wasn’t a fan of the theatrics surrounding that version of the game.

Ever since being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Ostberg has been grinding to get to the major leagues. Seeing players dancing and doing trick plays mid-game in sold-out ballparks seemed like a silly flash in the pan to him and his teammates.

“A lot of those guys in [the minor] leagues are looking at the Bananas and they’re like, ‘oh, these guys stink,’” Ostberg said. “‘They can’t play in our league.’ It’s just more of a bitter anger towards the vibe that they had going.”

Years after first being introduced to the concept, Ostberg had seen how Banana Ball continued to grow. When they reached out to him, he was intrigued enough to hop on the phone and hear what they had to say.

The phone call allowed Ostberg to learn about the plans for the new league they were introducing, and how a player like him might fit in. The league is trying to add more traditional baseball players to increase competitiveness, which is right where Ostberg fits in.

Then it was time to make a big decision.

Ostberg held a spring training invite with no guarantees for the upcoming season, and would have to decide whether to turn it down and pursue Banana Ball or continue on a more traditional path.

Weighing his options, Ostberg chose to attend the Banana Ball pre-draft workouts and attempt to get drafted.

“While yes, I would be jumping for joy to go to any spring training, this is sort of a unique opportunity that has some stability to it, but also has a lot of legs behind it,” Ostberg said. “The league’s only growing … why not jump on when the league is in a growth phase.”

Growing up in Florence, Ostberg always knew he wanted to play baseball on the big stage. Even though Banana Ball wasn’t a reality when he was a kid, he’ll now be living out his dream. It will include a 60-game season all around the country in massive venues, including MLB, NFL and college football stadiums.

Two games on the schedule stand out to the New England native, playing against the Bananas at Gillette Stadium on August 28-29.

“Coming from Massachusetts, it’s a huge selling point for me,” Ostberg said. “That’s an experience that you can only have once. Not a lot of people have had that experience of being in a sold-out football stadium, feeling that energy.”

Being drafted for a second time helped Ostberg to reflect on his career to this point. Looking back at his days of playing ball in Hampshire County, the 30-year-old appreciates his roots that got him started on his journey.

Ostberg credits his father, Rob Ostberg, for initially sparking his love for the game of baseball. As a dual-sport athlete playing both baseball and soccer at Amherst College, his dad paved the way for him to be a successful athlete.

There were many other influences that Ostberg had locally to help him grow as a player, and although his career isn’t over, he enjoys paying it back however he can.

“I try to be active in the coaching scene locally and in the private space,” Ostberg said. “I try to touch as many players as I can, because I know the impact it had on me.”

Rob has made sure to remind his son to be personable as a professional athlete, with Ostberg hoping that mindset carries over to this new endeavor.

“I’ve never said no to an autograph,” Ostberg said. “At a certain point, you’re going to be 50 [years old] and washed up, and nobody wants your autograph … that’s almost sort of like an honor in a sense.”

Ostberg looks at this opportunity as something he hopes to do long-term, helping get the new league off the ground. With that comes unlimited potential for the players and coaches to create their own team identity.

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The new, exciting experience didn’t come without a fair share of bumps in the road.

During his time in the minor leagues and Independent ball, there were moments when Ostberg would contemplate whether continuing to play professional baseball was worth it. As much as the major-league lifestyle is one that so many dream of, the lower levels don’t have the same quality of life.

As a Massachusetts kid, Ostberg learned what it was like being in less-than-ideal conditions, pushing through and coming out with a lengthy career.

“Baseball is really hard, you really have to push your way through it, especially in New England,” Ostberg said. “We don’t get to play as many games outside. The players here really have to work extra to be at the same physical spot as guys down south. They have to really want to be in the facilities, in the winter, to be putting in the work that’s required to have the skills to even play in college.”

Choosing to push through seems to have truly paid off in a big way, earning an opportunity to play on the biggest stage of his life to this point.

Despite being far removed from his days of making diving catches in his backyard in Florence, Ostberg wants to maintain the same qualities that got him to this point.

“I’m coming to play fast, play smart,” Ostberg said. “I’m going to smile, enjoy the experience. I’m going to foster the love for baseball, and create as many fans as we possibly can. I think this will be a nice stage that we can put Western Mass. on the map here. This is a growing league, and I think I could have some longevity in the league and some impact.”

The Banana Ball Championship League is set to begin on Thursday, Feb. 26. With games all across the country, Ostberg will be looking to represent where he came from everywhere he goes.

“I would love for as many local people to come out to a game if possible,” Ostberg said. “I’d love to connect with people from Western Mass. all over the country, if they decide to come out to a game, and hopefully it’ll be special.”