​DANVILLE — In May, Miles Crosby was wrapping up his senior baseball season at Schlarman Academy. After playing for the Rantoul legion team in June, Crosby would finish his summer back in Danville as a member of the Dans. Crosby, who is headed to Olney Central College, said a call a few weeks earlier had opened up an opportunity for him. “I was playing legion ball and I was having fun and I was playing for Garry (Smith). He is one of the better coaches I have had because he is a nice guy and he has helped me a lot. He boosts everyone’s confidence and lifts everyone’s morale.” Crosby added that he was performing well in legion ball and, while at a friend’s house, one of the junior college pitching coaches who had been trying to recruit him before his commitment to Olney contacted him. That coach, who also serves as the Dans’ pitching coach for Jacob Ferguson, asked how his summer was and whether he would like to play for the Dans, and Crosby said yes.
Before he could join the Dans, Crosby needed to get the blessing of his father, Marcous Crosby, and Garry Smith. “I got the message and talked to my dad. We discussed playing at this level before I go to college, and he said I couldn’t miss this opportunity,” Crosby recalled. “I called Garry and told him about the Dans, and he was very supportive. Garry is one of the most uplifting guys I have met; he was fully behind me. He kept me on the roster and stressed how important I was for the team.”
Crosby took a short break before joining the Dans, who resumed regular-season play after their All-Star break with a trip to Springfield to face the Lucky Horseshoes. “This is the only break they get, and the only time I can rest as well, so I don’t think I’ll be meeting them until we get to the bus on Thursday for Springfield,” Crosby noted. “They don’t really practice because they have played so many games in a row.”
While Crosby hasn’t been assigned a pitching role yet, he is eager to learn from the older players and contribute in any way he can. “I haven’t heard any idea about a start or anything, so I don’t know if I am a starter or not,” Crosby said. “I am young on the team, so I’m fully supportive of whatever they do because I will learn from some of the older guys. I’m aware of how young I am, and I’m in support of whatever role they give me. I don’t care when I throw; I’m happy to be here and I’m happy to learn.”
While most of the Dans took a break, three did not, as they participated in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Ind. The Eastern Conference edged the Western Conference 4-3, with Danville’s Will Burke driving in a run, Sam McArthur pitching 2/3 of an inning scorelessly, and Drake Hoffa earning the win by working one inning and allowing just one hit. On Wednesday, Danville’s Jackson Frasure became the second Dan to something notable that season.