WINNIPEG — It’s not often a Manitoba baseball player catches the eye of a school in the USA.
But Winnipegger Brett Harrison isn’t like most baseball players.
“I like to be an example that if you put your mind to it, put in the work, you can get something done,” said Harrison.
The 19-year-old catcher will soon be entering his second season at the University of North Dakota. The school competes in Division 1, the highest level of college baseball in the United States.
“We play three hours a day, weights after that for two hours plus school,” said Harrison. “It’s pretty taxing because you’re going seven days a week.”
And even more intense for Harrison.
“I was born with a ventricular septal defect which is a hole in my heart,” said Harrison. “When I was two, I had open heart surgery. They implanted the pace maker. I’ve had that since I was two.”
Harrison has had a total of four surgeries to help correct his heart defect. The condition though has never stopped him from chasing his dreams.
“Doctors said I couldn’t play hockey, I played hockey,” said Harrison. “Doctors said I couldn’t play baseball, I played baseball.”
To minimize any risks, Harrison wears a protective plate over his pacemaker when playing baseball.
“It’s got an oval shape at the top so when if the ball hits it, it spreads all the way around instead of direct impact,” said Harrison.
He hopes his success will spark the same for others.
“It doesn’t matter what people say is wrong with you, you can do it,” said Harrison.
Regardless of what is thrown their way.
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