The stakes are certainly different now than they were at Mahomet-Seymour High School. The path to the big leagues is not a guarantee for even the most talented prospects in the minors. Money, expectations and the pursuit of lifelong dreams blend together and can cloud the heads of some talented young athletes. For Wolters, however, the opportunities to do good and provide smiles to others away from the diamond help him with maintaining clarity on it. “There's so much more that’s bigger than yourself.” The prospect proclaimed. “I get caught up in having a selfish attitude and mindset when really we’re here and we should be loving others and giving back to others because that’s the biggest impact we can make.” Wolters was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Player Of The Year in Illinois, and led his alma mater to their winningest season in program history with a 31-6 record. It’s commonplace for Gatorade to pledge $1,000 to a charitable cause of each state’s award winner’s choice. Wolters chose the Illini Land FCA, the center of the FCA movement in the Champaign area. Gatorade also asked for video submissions from their select group of athletes to make their case for a $10,000 grant to a charitable cause of their choice. Wolters recorded a short video making his case for the Illini Land FCA and sent it through the proper channels. A few weeks later, Gatorade let Wolters know that they were choosing his cause. Even after leaving Mahomet, Wolters has continued his service efforts with his old high school through baseball and basketball camps for local youth athletes. He still holds a close relationship with his former teammates and coaches and gives baseball or life advice to his friends when asked. After the draft, the Wolters family established a foundation in their and Blake’s name – Wolters Foundation: The Way – to further his philanthropic efforts in his hometown. “My family set up a foundation after I was drafted that looked for opportunities for us to help out monetarily and with prayers or things around our community that were important to us or people who have poured a lot into my life and my family’s life.” The flamethrowing righty has the utmost respect for those who have helped him along his journey. Wolters shares a similar soft spot for the next crop of big-league hopefuls behind him. He exudes passion for providing youth with memories that can provide a lifetime’s worth of inspiration. “Whether it's with FCA or baseball camps, I was once that kid at all those camps trying to learn from the guys above me.” The Illinois-native remembered. “When I was that age I looked up to those guys a lot so it's a cool position to be in.” It’s not the norm for a teenage athlete who receives a seven-figure signing bonus to be so involved in charitable efforts. Most elect to invest in shiny new cars or other material items rather than dedicating a significant sum to philanthropy. Even still, Wolters continues to mull opportunities for service both in his hometown and beyond. “I’m always open to community service or ways to get involved.” Wolters noted. “Especially being in Columbia now, I feel like there could be some good opportunities that I should reach out and try to find but as of right now I have a pretty busy schedule.”
27
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online