By Stacy Case
Coral Springs resident Coby Mayo’s dreams have come true! It was no coincidence that he was selected by Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 2020 draft last month. So much hard work, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice from the third baseman stewed in a pot for more than a decade. From sunrise to sunset for many years, it was the perfect mix of ingredients to cook up something great.
From a very young age, Coby would go to the baseball field with his family during his older brothers’ games. It wasn’t long before that Coby transitioned from sipping on the concession stand slushies and snacking on French fries at those games until he began lacing up his own cleats to begin something that millions of children from around the world can only imagine.
He has learned quite a bit during his amateur playing years and looks to utilize those experiences as a springboard to help fuel what is to come during his professional play.
“Working hard on something really does pay off, even in difficult times, and sometimes I chose to put baseball ahead of other things,” says Coby.
He reminisces when he was introduced to the game at the T-Ball level as a player but it wasn’t necessarily his fondest memory. “I remember missing the ball five times when the coaches pitched to me and they had to bring out the Tee in order for me to be able to hit at first,” adds Coby, who started the sport at Mullins Park at about age 5. “I wasn’t too happy about that so I knew I needed to make some adjustments.”
Needless to say, he was a quick study and took to the sport naturally. Aside from his raw talent, good genes, and high baseball IQ that were noted from numerous coaches at an early age, his passion for the game is what began to shape him into the player he is now.
He earned a roster spot on some highly-acclaimed summer tournament teams, in which he says his experiences there were priceless. “The game of baseball has brought me some incredible relationships; I got to play with some of the most talented players from around the country who also love the game.”
Plenty of those relationships he speaks of were formed just down the street from his house at North Springs Little League, where Coby proudly represented the program at the all-star level for every age division. He was one of several North Springs players whose teams earned state, regional and World Series titles during his Little League years, and says he’ll never forget it. “Too many people think Little League isn’t always great because it’s recreational baseball, not travel,” says Coby, who juggled both levels of play for years. “But it’s (us) Little Leaguers who need to stick to their roots; North Springs is a great program, with great friends and memories.”
Coby’s recreational and travel baseball experiences will remain close to his heart, as will his high school playing days at Stoneman Douglas. “What a great baseball program at that school,” adds Coby, whose Senior season was cut short due to the pandemic. “Douglas has always had such a great baseball community.”
After graduation, Coby was set to attend the University of Florida, but as he signed his Letter of Intent, the Orioles have different plans for his baseball future. Coby now looks to culminate all rec, travel, and school baseball play into how he’ll continue his play for the Orioles. “I’d like to make a good impression, move up in the organization and hopefully help them win a World Series.”
