Lake Shastina – Dallas Brooks, a recent graduate of Mt. Shasta High School, is headed to Australia to play baseball with the USA Athletes International team (USAAI). To say he’s excited might be one of the world’s greatest understatements.

“Never would I have thought that I, Dallas Brooks from Mt. Shasta, would be going to Australia to play baseball. I was in complete shock. I mean here I am a kid from a small town thinking I’d never get recognized,” said Brooks. “I was actually in the Seattle Airport headed to Barrow, Alaska to visit my dad  (When he learned of his selection). I was going up there to get away. I was having a rough time, and I just wanted to take a breather so it couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I honestly wanted to cry because I was so happy.”

Brooks first came to the attention of USAAI while he was attending the Top 96 Program, a baseball camp held at Sonoma State. He was selected to play on the team by Jon Martin, the head baseball coach at Vassar College. Brooks leaves Monday for Brisbane, Australia to play at the Gold Coast U18 Baseball Tournament. Then, he’ll fly to Cairns, Australia to play some more ball.

Brooks, who played catcher and pitched at Mt. Shasta High, is the son of Brenda DellaBona and Jim Brooks. He currently resides in Lake Shastina. This fall, Brooks will attend Shasta College, where he will play baseball, and begin working towards a degree in Sports Medicine—an education that he hopes will lead to a career as a sports trainer or physical therapist. Of course, he is hoping that the sports medicine careers might be a bit delayed by reaching his baseball goals.

“My long term sports goal is to play college baseball and to go as far as possible with baseball. But for a future goal, I want to be a professional baseball player,” said Brooks.

Brooks is also quite clear on what he would like to accomplish in Australia.

“Out of this trip I hope to accomplish learning new skills to make me a better player, and hope this gets my name out to bigger and better things, and hope this is my ticket to the top. I know I still have a lot of work to do and it’s not going to be a walk in the park,” said Brooks. “It’s going to take hours, days, years, of hard, hard work and I’m totally up for that. I’m so excited to see what’s going to happen. I can’t wait.”

Like any good team player, Brooks is quick to acknowledge the people who have helped him in his life and in baseball.

“I really want to give thanks to my mom. Without her none of this would be happening. She has been my number-one supporter. She went to every game. She has helped out more than asked. I want to thank my dad for his support getting me the gear I needed, and getting me into camps. Without him, I wouldn’t have gone to camps and wouldn’t be getting this chance now. He flies 3000 miles just to watch me play. How’s that for support? My sister has always been a huge supporter. I love you guys. Also Eve, thank you for always pushing me over my limit. You’ve always (been) supportive and went to all the games. I couldn’t have done it without you guys. Thank you. I love you guys.”