By Kamerie Gibson (@KamerieGibson):
In Texas, the stars are visible and it’s much more relaxed. Not so much in downtown San Jose, but to Hayden Houser, that doesn’t matter.
“You can never see the stars here in San Jose,” said the Spartans freshman backup catcher. “It was like one of my dreams to come play baseball on the West Coast.”
The Flower Mound, Texas native is the only player on the baseball roster who was born east of Las Vegas.
“When I got offered, it was the coolest thing ever, but I was still a little worried just because of how different it is here compared to where I’m from,” Houser said.
Being a young player, he has put the differences aside which has helped his development.
“Him not being from California, we try to assimilate him into the California culture,” assistant coach Tyler La Torre said.
He teases Houser with “a lot of Texas jokes, but he’s learning and he’s coming back with some good witty remarks.”
At Flower Mound High School, Houser was a three-time letterwinner in football.
Playing two sports was fun for him, but toward the latter end of his high school career, Hauser found his passion with baseball.
“I realized more and more that baseball was my sport,” he said.
He also credits his opportunity to play Division I baseball to his alma mater.
His girlfriend Skyler Spooner also relocated to California from Houser’s hometown, playing beach volleyball at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
For the Texas couple, there was no intentional plan for them to attend college in California.
“Before I even met her, she was already committed,” Houser said.
Consumed almost entirely with baseball season, Houser was unable to spend time with her on Valentine’s Day.
Continuing with his rehab from a recently fractured wrist, the injury has only motivated him.
“He is the first one in and out of the dugout, picking people up,” Jack Colette, freshman outfielder and Hauser’s best friend, said.
Farthest from family and familiarity, Houser is left with only one option: to continue to persevere for himself and his team.
“If you’re not working to be better, then you are letting your teammates down. Why would you want that?
Houser has not lost his Texas roots since coming to California.
“I still wear my boots all the time,” referring to his dark brown cowboy Ariats. “It’s different, but I like it.”