MERIDIAN — Hit the ball in fair territory, run to first base.

Baseball players know the routine. And it is routine. It occurs dozens of times in every game and nobody notices it.

Nick Malis is an exception to that rule. The Butler graduate and Meridian outfielder-first baseman will never forget two of his runs to the first base bag.

They cost him two torn ACLs — both in the left knee — and eight months of working his way back to the game both times.

“It was the same type of play. The second one happened one day past the anniversary of the first one,” Malis said.

“I was just trying to leg out a hit both times. I landed awkwardly, the knee bent inward, outward and just popped.”

His first torn ACL occurred at a Labor Day Tournament at La Roche College. He was playing on a tourney entrant with his friends and was running hard to the bag “because I didn’t want to make the last out in the game.”

Malis came back to salvage the final few games of his senior season at Butler High School. He started in the outfield for the last three games, collected a few hits, then started the Golden Tornado’s playoff game against Plum.

After completing his second straight summer of batting well over .300 for Meridian in the Butler County legion league — and striking out just twice in more than 100 at bats over those two campaigns — Malis decided to try to walk on and play baseball for Penn State-Altoona.

“Nick is definitely a contact hitter,” Meridian manager Butch Master said. “One of those times he struck out was on a called third strike — and I don’t think that pitch was a strike.”

Master was looking forward to getting Malis back this summer for his final season of legion ball.

“I really believe he had a chance to be the best player in this league this year,” the manager said.

But an ill turn of luck struck again.

We were playing a tryout scrimmage game (for PSU-Altoona) in the fall when I tore the same ACL trying to beat out a hit,” Malis said.

Decision time. Try to play with a brace on the knee or get another surgery done.

“It was a tough decision,” Malis admitted. “I figured I only had two seasons left to play baseball. That was it. But the doctor talked me into having the surgery.

“He convinced me I had to concern myself with all the years of my life once I was done playing baseball. I wanted to be able to walk straight.”

The second surgery cost Malis any chance to play for PSU-Altoona this past spring. It cost him much of his final legion season as well.

He did return to collect five hits in 15 at bats and played in the BCAL All-Star Game Friday night at Kelly Automotive Park. He was named one of four recipients of the league’s $1,000 scholarships that night.

Those scholarships are based on quality of the individual and dedication to the BCAL.

“I brought him on in relief to pitch in a recent game down here against Center Township and he struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced,” Master said.

“I’m not a pitcher. I just know how to pitch,” Malis said, shrugging. “I’m an outfielder.”

While he’s medically cleared to resume all baseball activities. Malis has been instructed by his manager not to cut around the bases sharply or even slide on the basepaths.

“I’d rather have him get tagged out than risk ruining that kid’s final college season,” Master said.

Still, Malis is a ballplayer — and he finds trouble dealing with the self-imposed restrictions.

“I know it’s for my own good, but when you’re playing in the moment, it’s hard to remember not to go in hard with a slide or turn the bases sharply,” he said. “But I’m doing it.

“I don’t feel robbed by those knee injuries. I’m thinking about heading out to Penn State-Harrisburg and playing two more years of ball while studying their structural landscape program. It’s like architecture, which I’m studying now.

“Either way, I’ve been playing baseball for 15 years. I’ve had more than my share of fun on the diamond. Robbed? Nah. Just bad luck,” he added.