Meis leading the way for Bethel Park
Of course Jeff and Leigh Meis can take some credit for their son’s athletic achievements after both competed in sports at Baldwin High School. Dad played basketball for the Highlanders while mom played volleyball and softball on WPIAL championship clubs for Paul Hindes.
Justin Meis, however, is a self-made man. The 6-3 senior pitcher has Bethel Park poised to challenge for its first WPIAL title since 1987. Thanks to his 5-1 record on the mound and 1.42 ERA, the Hawks captured a section banner and are seeded second in the Class 6-A tournament. The Hawks sport the best record in the lead with a 17-3 mark.
“It’s funny, my dad says he taught me how to throw. He jokes around about it all the time, but he wasn’t a pitcher. He knew the basics though,” Meis said. “And, my mom always talks about being a WPIAL champion. I hear about it all the time. In the end, I think I get my basketball talent from my dad and baseball from my mom.”
His formal instruction, however, came from great coaches such as youth managers Scott Fischer and Scott Opferman, AAU skipper Mark Saghy from the Steel City Wildcats and current pitching coach Chris Tekulve, the son of the Pirate reliever, Kent.
“Those guys helped me learn a lot but Coach Tekulve taught me the most. I’ve learned so much from him from my sophomore year and beyond. He’s been fun to be around. Not only did he teach me about pitching but life in general.”
In baseball and in life, Meis learned quickly that if you want to get anywhere, you have to work. That’s been the difference maker for Meis.
“What separates Justin is he puts the work in while nobody was watching,” BP manager Tony Fisher said. “He’s really a diligent worker. You never see him give less than his maximum effort at every drill in practice and he also gets additional work done on his own without being asked to do so.”
A member of Healthtrax Wellness and Fitness Center, not too far from the high school, Meis goes to the gym as much as he can. He lifts, runs and squats focusing on his lower body. He cross trains and even plays basketball. He will graduate with eight varsity letters, four for baseball and four for basketball. During those busy, crazy winter months, Meis attended winter baseball training sessions while competing at an all-section level for the hoop team, a perennial playoff qualifier.
“It’s tough going practice to practice but I never got too stressed out balancing each sport, even when they overlapped,” Meis said. “You just take it one day at time. In the end, it pays off.”
In addition to owning one of the better records in the WPIAL, Meis managed 42 strikeouts in 39.1 innings. He owns a 1.47 career ERA and opponents bat just .229 against him. He also has been an all-section shortstop and captain for the Hawks when not on the mound.
According to Fisher, Meis has command of his fastball and possesses a “wicked” curve and “effective” change-up. In the field, he is smooth and rangy.
“He has made some really spectacular plays this season,” Fisher said. At the plate, he is batting .306 with five extra base hits, including a home run. “I don’t believe there is another player in the area as well-rounded as he is.”
Division I program Eastern Michigan recruited him as a pitcher. Meis picked the Eagles over Ball State, Seton Hill, St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
“My parents told me that I would know which school was for me because it would feel right. Eastern Michigan saw me pitch in a summer tournament and I visited the next day. The campus was beautiful and the field and dorms are nice but I met with academics first and it felt good. I could see myself being there for four years and getting my work done.”
If a professional baseball career doesn’t pan out for Meis, he envisions following in the footsteps of his high school manager. Coach Fisher taught Meis honors American History his sophomore year.
“I can see myself doing what Coach Fisher does; being a history teacher and coach some day,” said Meis, who will apply his 3.8 GPA towards a major in secondary education.
The big dream, foremost, is a professional baseball career. That’s another reason why Meis selected Eastern Michigan.
“I think they can get me there,” he said. “They have a great program and they develop players into the best they can be. If I work hard, listen to my coaches, not slack off and do my best, I think playing the major leagues is realistic.”
In the next few weeks, Meis is solely focused on BP’s fortunes. While he has already been on two section championship clubs in the past three seasons, he has yet to play for a WPIAL winner.
“We want to add another WPIAL title to the school and make a run at the state playoffs,” Meis said. “We are not going to look too far ahead and get caught up in everything. We are staying as focused as we can and obviously working hard.
“I know I don’t take anything for granted but I know how much time we put into this. We are confident in ourselves and in our abilities. If we continue to put the work in, the results will come too.”
Who is he: Senior shortstop who has led Bethel Park to its second section title in three seasons.
Age: 18
Birthdate: Nov. 23
Parents: Jeff and Leigh
Siblings: Ryan, 16
Sports: Baseball, Basketball
Other activities & clubs: National Honor Society, Principal’s Advisory Council.
GPA: 3.8 GPA
College choices: Eastern Michigan
Major: Secondary Education
Color: Blue.
Food: Bacon cheeseburger from Red Robin
Music: Zach Brown Band.
Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Dream Destination: Grand Canyon.
Favorite athlete: Andrew McCutchen.
Favorite MLB team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Hero: My dad. “He has always been there for me. We joke around a lot but when things get serious we can talk about it. I can go to him for anything.”
Car: Porsche. “I’m not really into cars but they catch my eye.”
People might be surprised to know this about you? “This is weird but I hold a pair of Nike socks when I sleep. I did it one night and I can’t go back. It’s the same pair. They are next to my bed.”
Who you would like to have dinner with? Derek Jeter
What like best about baseball? “It is a true team game. All nine players and the bench need to be in the game and in on every pitch.”
In 15 years, I will be: “I hope to be playing in the major leagues. If not, I want to be teaching history and managing a high school baseball team like my social studies teacher Tony Fisher. I can see me doing that one day.”