Indy Chronicler

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — It’s that time of year again. It’s time to meet the Aviators. This time Sports 18’s Bri Shackelford introduces us to a catcher. One that chose to come back and compete for the Aviators. Below is the transcription for the interview.

BRI SHACKELFORD – Well welcome to another segment of Meet the Aviators. I’m here with Brooks Sailors and this is your second year here, right?

BROOKS SAILORS – Yep. It is my second year. I came last year at the start of the second half, so it’s really like one and a half.

BRI – One and a half, two years, we’ll just give ya two years. But why did you decide to come back this year?

BROOKS – Really because I had so much fun playing for the Aviators last year, and I can live at home. That’s always a plus, I don’t have to live with a host family that I gotta take a chance on that if I like it there or not I can just live at home and be around all my friends. 

BRI – Yeah, so kind of describe to me what it’s like being an Aviator since you are kind of a returning vet.

BROOKS – It’s just the place to be in the Prospect League. The fans, and the stadium itself it blows every other place out of the water. So, that’s a big part of it. 

BRI – Yeah, and how is it being able to come play summer ball with a team that you know you don’t necessarily know all year? You don’t have a lot of chemistry with them, but you’re trying to build that chemistry. And on top of that, you come in here [Loeb], and you see these stands packed every single time you all are at home.

BROOKS – I mean it’s pretty easy getting along with the new guys and like guys I haven’t met. Everybody’s pretty friendly and easygoing. And then everybody just loves the stadium being packed. It brings the energy up and it makes you want to play even harder on the field.

BRI – So looking back at this past year, for college ball for you, what areas did you see the most improvement in?

BROOKS – Really my catching, my receiving, and everything about it. My hitting as well I got a lot better. I was struggling about two years ago, but coming here and playing every day, and getting a bunch of AB’s really helped me. So, when I went to college I was hitting a lot better than I have in the past.

BRI – What are some team goals that you guys have? I know you just started out but I mean the season does quite literally start and end very very rapidly. So, are there any hopes and goals you guys have as a team, or is it still too early to decide?

BROOKS – Oh, we want to win the whole thing. That’s the plan. We want to come back with a ring.

BRI – Well perfect! Thank you guys so much for tuning in to another ‘Get to Know the Aviators.’ We’ll see you soon.

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