By Kylee D. Miller, Clarke Sports Information Intern

The Metrodome in Minneapolis has seen a number of talented athletes play on its fields. The Minnesota Twins played there until this upcoming season and it is the current home of the Minnesota Vikings. A new batch of players stepped on the grass on February 15. One of them was Clarke College pitcher Steve Mabeus.

The Clarke baseball team has 11 different pitchers, meaning a player truly has to stand out in order to start. "My expectations for Steve are high," said baseball coach Chad Harris. "He comes in with a lot of experience and I recruited him with the intentions that he would come in as one of our top pitchers."

Mabeus earned his experience while playing baseball with his family. He started playing with his dad when he was four years old. "A tourist actually saw me play one summer and I was recruited to play," he said.

His older brother, Chris Mabeus, pitched a season for the Milwaukee Brewers, a rival of the Steve's favorite major league team-the St. Louis Cardinals. "My family is originally from southern Illinois so we all love the Cardinals."

Mabeus' family now lives in Soldotna, Alaska. "It is actually colder here then in Alaska," Steve jokes. "Iowa has a different kind of cold. I can't stand the wind."

After four schools and living away from home for three years, Mabeus tries to only go home in the summer when temperatures are warmer. "I live 3,680 miles from my house," he said. "The traveling is really nothing to me. The distance from Alaska to Iowa or Alaska to Idaho isn't a big deal because no matter what they're on a plane, so what's another hundred miles?"

Being used to traveling will be an advantage for Mabeus when the baseball team treks across country to play games. They'll be down in Arkansas over spring break, where they hope to continue their winning record.

"I think the team is going to be very successful this year," said Steve. "We have a very strong club and a lot of fight in us. Coach Harris is a young coach with a lot of passion and drive to make us a better team."

Mabeus takes advantage of every opportunity to get better to prove himself as an athlete and works hard to improve at practices. "Steve showed he should really be able to help out our pitching staff," said Coach Harris. "He throws a lot of strikes and has a strong, competitive mentality. He is a fierce competitor."

As the temperature on the field begins to warm-up, Steve Mabeus will be heating up. He is a player to watch on this talented Crusader baseball team.