NATCHEZ — Whether it’s baseball or football, Trinity Episcopal senior Chase Patrick is always in the middle of the action.

And that’s the way he likes it.

Patrick is currently playing catcher for the Saints as they try to get even deeper into the MAIS Class A baseball playoffs. He was also a center for the state championship football team.

Patrick said catcher has been his position since Dixie Youth baseball, and he’s never wanted to play anywhere else.

“They just put me out there one game and it stuck,” Patrick said. “I’ve been playing it ever since.

“I enjoy it, being in on every play and being in control. I’ve always hated sitting back in the field and the ball never coming to you.”

And Patrick said he’s not intimidated in making a play every time the ball comes to him.

“A lot of people talk about being scared of the bat hitting them and stuff, but that’s never bothered me,” he said.

Trinity baseball coach Mitch Ashmore said he can’t say enough about how important it is having a good backstop on the team.

“I think we couldn’t have done the things we’ve done without him behind the plate,” Ashmore said.

“I’ve coached a lot of good catchers in my time, and Chase ranks up there near the top. He’s a leader who’s well liked by his teammates. He busts his butt and will do anything you ask him to do.

“I’ve caught him in back-to-back games before, and he’s never complained.”

Having a good relationship with the pitching staff is especially important when it comes to managing the pitchers, Patrick said.

“You just know how (a pitcher’s) going to react with certain pitches,” Patrick said. “You just have to get inside his head and know what kind of mood he’s in, because if you don’t connect, you’ll be off the whole game.

“You have to know (the pitcher) and know what he’s thinking every pitch.”

In addition, Ashmore said Patrick does a good job recognizing signs from the dugout when Ashmore calls for certain pitches.

“I call pitches, and he has to recognize those signs,” Ashmore said. “He’s smart at what he does.”

Catchers are also under a lot of pressure to make sure opposing baserunners don’t steal, but Patrick said he relies on his teammates a lot to keep runners at bay.

“A lot of it is the pitcher’s motion and how quickly he’s getting the ball to you,” Patrick said. “The infielders and the dugout also try to tell you when the runner’s gone, because sometimes you can’t see with the batter in the way.”

In gunning a runner down, Patrick said it’s important not to rush the throw.

“It’s all about making a good, clean throw,” he said. “You have to make sure your motions are quick. Coach Ashmore says to be quick, but not to rush it.”

Since he likes to be in on the action, center was a natural choice when it came to football, Patrick said.

“It’s a lot of the same thing (as it is with catcher),” Patrick said. “If the snap isn’t right, the rest of the play is off. If a catcher’s off, it also throws off the rest of the game.”

Patrick said his mindset against opposing defensive linemen was to never let him beat you.

“Never let him cross your face,” Patrick said. “A lot of that comes from coach (David) King and Rudy Wilson. At Trinity, they kind of instill that competitiveness in you. It’s a way of life.”

Bonding with King and Ashmore is something Patrick said he’s had the privilege of doing in his career at Trinity.

“I’ve known coach King since I was a kid, and he’s always been there if I ever needed anything,” Patrick said. “He’s like another father.

“It’s the same with coach Ashmore. When he came here (from Huntington School last year), we clicked. He was also a catcher, so we had a good connection.”

Patrick plans to attend Southwest Community College and major in psychology.