Former Bismarck-Henning baseball player, alum Dylan Dodd makes AA debut
PEARL, Miss. — It鈥檚 a long path from Little League to the Major 海角社区, but Bismarck鈥檚 (population 536) own Dylan Dodd is more than halfway there. Last week, Dylan was promoted by the Atlanta Braves to their AA affiliate in Pearl, Mississippi. In his AA debut on Sunday, Dylan pitched six scoreless innings, allowing one hit with seven strikeouts. Dylan鈥檚 mom Thea Dodd had this to say about Dylan鈥檚 first AA game: 鈥淣ot sure which was hotter: the temperature in Pearl, MS with a heat index of 102 degrees, or Dylan Dodd鈥檚 dominate pitching debut in his first Double A outing.鈥�
Like all overnight successes, the path to get there wasn鈥檛 overnight. Dylan played on the Bismarck High School baseball team (making All-State), coached by his dad, Mark Dodd, and spent time in American Legion baseball, playing for Danville, IL Post 210. After high school, Dylan attended Kankakee Community College, leading the Cavs to the 2017 NCAA Division II World Series championship, which his mother and grandparents were able to attend.
Dylan鈥檚 dad Mark remembers that game well. He couldn鈥檛 attend the game in Oklahoma, as he was coaching Dawson, their younger son, in a championship game for a travel ball club. Mark approached a local restaurant and said his son was playing in the World Series. If they could put the game on in a room, there were more than 60 parents and players who would be there. After watching Dylan get four hits in that game, Mark said 鈥渋t was a special night, a highlight鈥� to share that moment with friends.
Dylan鈥檚 performance in the World Series as a two-way player (pitching and first base) led to a scholarship offer by Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), which Dylan ultimately accepted. Dylan鈥檚 mother Thea says, 鈥淲e always knew Dylan was good. But you never expect it to happen. It鈥檚 a one in a million shot, and we鈥檇 be proud of him no matter what he鈥檇 do in life. Baseball paid for his education.鈥� And quite the education it was. Dylan was recognized at the Most Outstanding Finance student, a testament to his dedication to life beyond baseball. Dylan was also recognized as the Male Athlete of the Year for SEMO.
Dylan was the Friday starter (number one in the rotation) for SEMO all three years. Mark says Dylan always executed what he worked on with the coaches. 鈥淗is ego is never in the way. It鈥檚 a testament to his character.鈥�
Dylan鈥檚 breakout moment was when SEMO played #2 in the nation Arkansas in Fayetteville. This game didn鈥檛 look good on paper for SEMO. Mark thinks that Dylan may have actually benefited from the layoff due to COVID, as this was only Dylan鈥檚 second start after the COVID pause. In what was expected to be an easy win for Arkansas, Dylan struck out ten in six innings before being relieved with a 3-2 lead. After Dylan exploded on the scene, the Arkansas announcers exclaimed, 鈥淲ho is this kid?鈥�
Thea and Mark can tell you who their kid is. These parents have continued to support their son throughout his career, usually attending around half of his games, even though the distance is great. They have gone to his games in Low A ball (an 11-hour drive), High A ball (8.5 hours to Rome, Georgia), and now AA ball in Pearl, Mississippi (10 hours).
One of the shortest trips? Right here at Historic Danville Stadium, when he played in the summer collegiate Prospect League for the Hannibal Hoots. That night the stands were packed, with countless Hannibal Hoots jerseys spotted in the stands, all in support of Dylan.
Also traveling to many of Dylan鈥檚 current games are the Mom Squad, consisting of Thea and several of her local friends, easily identifiable by their red 鈥淒odd鈥檚 Mom Squad鈥� shirts. They became so popular that one day, the coaches and players made their own 鈥淒odd Squad鈥� shirts and wore them for the pre-game! Despite the popularity of the Mom Squad, Dylan gave strict orders to Thea, 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 yell at games!鈥� More than once Thea had honored that request, only to be conflated with those who did yell.
According to Dylan鈥檚 parents, all these successes still have not changed Dylan on the inside. 鈥淗e is still quiet, unassuming, and humble. He really does not like the spotlight, which is funny because as a pitcher, you are!鈥� Mark says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a switch, he turns into fire on the mound.鈥�
Mark is also proud of the family heritage. As the Head coach of Bismarck football, Bismarck won the football conference title eight years in a row: the first four with Dylan, the last four with Dawson. Dawson will continue his playing this fall, as a quarterback for Culver-Stockton College in Missouri. Dawson鈥檚 character is also evident, which is a plus when you鈥檙e the coach鈥檚 son. After a Spring football practice, Dawson came out to find 鈥淒addy Ball鈥� written on his car window. Dawson left it there all year as a badge of honor. 鈥淚f you want Dawson to do something, tell him he can鈥檛,鈥� Mark says.
With all of his athletic accomplishments, Dylan鈥檚 parents are even more proud of his education and character. Mark says, 鈥淒ylan鈥檚 success shows that a small town kid has a chance. He is a model for young kids.鈥�
Yes, it CAN happen.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.