Issac Love

JEFFERSON TWP — In many cases, something must be taken away for one to realize how much it means to them.

Isaac Love doesn't need such an impetus when it comes to his baseball career.

Love, a 2019 Knoch High School graduate and incoming sophomore at Robert Morris University, is an infielder for Saxonburg in the Butler County Area Baseball League.

Saxonburg is in the BCABL's double-elimination playoff tournament, which begins Tuesday. When its season is over, whether it be from a second loss or by winning the title, Love's baseball career will also be referred to in the past tense.

“It's really tough,” Love said. “I try not to think about it too much because our season is still going on.”

Love detailed how community baseball has affected his life in an essay, one of 23 written by players in their final year in the league. His was voted as one of the top three and he was awarded a $1,000 scholarship prior to Sunday's play-in game at Laura Doerr Park.

“It's awesome. I'm really grateful that they are able to put this together every year,” said Love. “College isn't cheap and I'm sure this has helped out a lot of people like it has me.”

Love's essay included the following: “Whenever I look around at some of the guys that have been on my team since I was just a kid and realize that this is the last season I will get to play with them, it is nearly impossible to not get emotional.”

Graduating from high school over a year ago gave Love the chance to be retrospective. BCABL allows players up to the age of 19.

“I felt that emotion of leaving high school and having one more year to play (in the BCABL) made me appreciate it even more,” he said.

Love began playing baseball in Saxonburg when he was just five years old.

“I was the short, chubby and shy little kid that was lucky to hit the ball out of the infield,” Love explained. “The other kids around me would get chosen to be on travel teams, not only because they had better skills and athleticism than me, but also because they all had similar personalities and got along well together.”

Love stuck with it, however, because of his love for the sport. He eventually opened up to his teammates and improved as a player. He became a two-year starter at second base for Knoch's high school team.

But his experience playing community baseball during the summer offered a different experience.

“It was more relaxed. You're still trying to win, obviously, but you're able to interact more with your teammates. Everything isn't super-serious,” he said.

Love's college major is actuarial science, which uses statistical methods to assess risk pertaining to insurance. He is the son of David and Cecilia Love.