Wright City senior Nick Moore is proving to be key to the Wildcats’ success on the baseball diamond. 

In his first season as a starter last season, Moore earned all-conference honors. Moore was one of five Wright City players last season to finish with a batting average above .400 and an on-base percentage above .500. Heading into this week’s games, Moore was hitting .400 with a .531 on-base percentage. He also leads the Wildcats with 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts. 

Moore’s plans after graduating from Wright City High School are to go to college and pursue a criminal justice degree. He does not plan to pursue playing baseball in college. 

“This is his major leagues because he’s not going to pursue college baseball,” Wright City baseball coach Ryan Raterman said. “He could but he just doesn’t want to. That’s why I think his drive and his demeanor every single day is what it is because this is here, this is now and he’s treating this like his major league and his last season.”

When did you start playing baseball?

When I was around four years old. 

What were the keys to your success last year in your first season as a starter? 

It was more like getting the opportunity. Kind of showing the coaches what I can do and my skills in the game. Obviously, getting older and progressing helped a lot too. 

You are batting in the second spot in the lineup this season. Do you approach that differently than batting lower in the lineup?

There’s definitely a lot more responsibility. In the two-spot, it’s more I need to get on base. And then down in the five or six where I used to be at, it’s the same approach. Just there wasn’t really as much urgency to get on. 

Were there challenges in adjusting to Wright City’s unique style of baseball? 

It definitely took a while to get used to because no other team really plays like that. There’s just so much chaos going on and so much going on, it was hard to pick up. But once you get the hang of it, you understand why we play like that. 

Do you think Wright City has a good chance to get over the hump and win the district title this year? 

I think we definitely do. As long as everyone is doing what they need to and executing in big spots and making those big plays, I think we have a really good chance of winning it this year. 

Do you know your future plans? 

Just going to college. I don’t personally think I’m going to pursue baseball in the future. But baseball has definitely been the biggest part of building who I am. It will help me out in more aspects than just on the field. 

Favorite Food: Chicken and Rice 

Favorite Subject: Other than gym class, some sort of history class 

Ideal Travel Destination: Somewhere out of the country. Really anywhere in Europe.