No disease can conquer ambition, and the Gorloks’ new pitcher is living proof of that.
Logan Birch was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2017. His health rendered him unable to play baseball, and after overcoming the disease, he worked his way back to playing baseball at a college level.
Logan drew the most strength from the support of the people closest to him.
“I was struggling mentally, and if I needed a person to talk to, my family was always there,” Logan Birch said. “They gave me really great advice on how to stay positive through everything.”
Even after receiving the heartbreaking news that her son had cancer, Julie Birch worked each day to keep a positive mindset. She instilled healthy coping mechanisms in her son and advised him to tackle whatever came at him in the most optimistic way possible.
“I’ve taught both of my kids to find a silver lining, no matter what,” Julie Birch said. “Every day is going to be hard in some way or the other. Choose what hard you want to deal with that day and turn it into a positive somehow.”
Despite his doubts that he would never play baseball again, the great-nephew of MLB All-Star Bill Buckner drew inspiration from his family. They encouraged him to continue his athletic journey after his diagnosis.
Doctors cleared Logan in October 2022, and after playing baseball at Paradise Valley Community College, Birch was recruited to play for Webster University. His recruitment was encouraged by his uncle, Louis Birch. A recruiting expert, Louis has placed over 350 college athletes in schools. He helped Logan combine all his highlight videos into one and sent it to coaches around the country. Alongside playing in the minors for the New York Mets, Louis also coached baseball.
“He never really just gave up,” Louis said. “He just kept fighting and even when he was down and feeling crappy. I felt like he was still trying to work out and stay in it. It was really a testament to how much he loved the game and his ability to keep working hard.”
While the mental aspect of returning to baseball may have been the most difficult, the physical aspect was no walk in the park.
“I was so out of shape,” Logan Birch said. “I basically had to learn how to throw to my ability again, to get my velocity back to where I wanted, then gain the weight back.”
Logan was prescribed a pill that eased his symptoms and helped him gain 20 pounds in two months.
In his first year at Webster, Logan has connected with his teammates on and off the field. The team does group hangouts outside their sport, including a golf outing and a fundraising rodeo.
“Having fun with the teammates is a huge part of what makes team chemistry so big,” Birch said. “It’s small moments, but it can have a huge impact on your life moving forward.”
Sophomore catcher Noah Jensen caught his first bullpen with Birch and was surprised at the unusual way that Birch pitched, but was impressed with his talent and noted Logan’s commitment to the team.
“I’ve never heard him complain about having to play catch, having to lift, having to go to practice,” Jensen said.
Gorloks’ head coach Bill Kurich begins his 18th year at Webster this year, and despite only knowing Birch for a few months, he has noticed a quiet confidence and great potential in his new player.
“He moved halfway across the country to chase his dream, to chase this baseball passion that he has, to play on a good team, to play on the level that he wants to compete at,” Kurich said.
A new pitcher can aid in the success of the entire program, and Kurich has a promising outlook for the spring season and Logan.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence and faith in him that he’s going to help us win championships,” Kurich said.
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