January 12, 2025

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

The calls ring out by the broadcaster from the back deck of a quiet cottage in Bala, Muskoka.

It’s 2010, a much younger Liam Hicks, who was selected by the Miami Marlins from the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft last month, is facing the biggest rivalry of his career.

“It’s Homerun Hicks coming up to bat, and Killer Connor pitching,” his grandfather, George Sherwood says.

“They’re brothers, but there’s bad blood between them.”

Grandpa Sherwood holds an imaginary microphone, as the young baseball players and subject of his commentary — Hicks and his brother Connor — play with wiffle balls on the lawn, a pool tube as the strike zone.

His grandpa broadcasting, the warmth of summer, a friendly rivalry between siblings. It’s all there for Hicks, then barely double digits, to fall in love. It’s in this picturesque rural town in northern Ontario, at his grandparents’ cottage, where his passion for baseball really begins.

Since then, it’s flourished. The catcher from Toronto, now 25, has made a career out of it, and will be competing for a spot on the Marlins’ big-league roster at spring training this year.

“I’m excited, I think it’s a cool opportunity, [and] an honour to be picked by them,” Hicks said.

The young catcher has played four seasons in the minors but he hasn’t seen any big-league action. But the Rule 5 draft regulations dictate that Hicks must be on the Marlins’ 26-man roster in 2025 or be offered back to the Tigers.

In his most recent minor league season with the Detroit Tigers’ double-A Erie SeaWolves, Hicks batted .272 and posted a .414 on-base percentage in 33 games. He had 31 hits, 14 RBIs and five doubles in 114 plate appearances.

Before starting his pro career in 2021 in the Arizona Complex League, Hicks played for the Toronto Mets.

In those days, the young player would finish up his high school classes, then take the bus to Out of the Park Sports, the Toronto Mets’ training facility.

He’d hit baseballs solo or with teammates to get his work in.

His talent and hard work was evident early on, said Chris Kemlo, who coached him with the Mets in grades 11 and 12.

“He kind of had pro tendencies back in high school, just the way he went about things, his work ethic and detail to it,” Kemlo said.

“He was a really easy kid to coach, and a really easy kid to root for.”

In Troy, N.Y., the Mets, were in a double elimination tourney to go onto the World Series in New Mexico, Hicks had two walk-off hits, one a huge homer. The Mets eventually lost in the championship game but as Kemlo said, “Hicks was always the guy when needed a hit. “

Years later, catching still fits in well with Hicks’ work ethic. He enjoys the preparation the position requires, the training, and the satisfaction when that hard work pays off. If he makes the roster, he'll serve as the Marlins’ backup receiver behind Nick Fortes.

“I find it super rewarding because of how much work you have to put in,” Hicks said, who has grown exponentially from his cottage playing wiffle ball days.

Although he’s now a pro vying for a spot on a major league roster, cottage baseball is still a part of his life (though not as an important part of training as it was once upon a time.)

If everything aligns, Hicks, his brother Connor, and their 10-year-old cousin still sometimes partake in friendly competition front lawn baseball games.

If you hit the quiet cottage town at the right time, you may hear…

“Connor’s a headhunter, he’s throwing close to Liam’s head…” followed by…“Liam’s crowding the plate.” The broadcaster's voice disrupts the peacefulness of cottage country in the best way possible.

He’s still the same one from 15 summers ago. Connor is a senior at Indiana Stata.

Not nepotism, but perhaps favoritism. Who better to call the game off the back deck of the cottage in Bala, Muskoka than grandpa?

He agrees.

“It’s so exhilarating to watch [them play],” Grandpa Sherwood said.

“What fun it is just to be a part of it.”