FIELD OF DREAMS: Franklin’s Davis excited to play at Comerica Park

When he was a kid, Livonia Franklin senior Kevin Davis ran the bases as part of post-Detroit Tigers games promotions at Comerica Park.

“That was so much fun,” he remembered. “I love baseball, so I looked forward to running the bases as much as I did going to the game.”

On June 26, Davis will be making an encore performance on the Comerica Park field — only this time, his appearance will be earned.

Earlier this week, the personable two-sport athlete and honors student learned he was selected to play in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game — an invitation only a select few prep players in Michigan receive every year.

College baseball-bound

A three-year varsity player and the Patriots’ primary shortstop this season, Davis has signed to play at the next level for highly-regarded Lansing Community College beginning in the fall.

“I’m so excited to be picked to play in the All-Star Game,” Davis said. “It’s been a dream of mine since my freshman year of high school.

“I’ve attended the game in the past and watched friends play in it, so getting to actually play a game on that field is a dream come true.”

Livonia Franklin head baseball coach Matt Fournier has known Davis since he started attending Patriots youth camps in elementary school.

Cream of the crop

Fournier said the on- and off-the-field standout is more than deserving to play at Comerica.

“If you talk to anyone at Franklin who knows Kevin, they’ll tell you he epitomizes everything you’re looking for in a student-athlete,” Fournier said. “He’s a leader in athletics, National Honor Society, Student Congress and his GPA is close to a 4.0.

“Owen Hawley is Franklin’s Athlete of the Year — and deservedly so. But any other year, Kevin would have run away with the award.”

Along with his top-notch baseball skills, Davis has all the intangibles it takes to be a leader, Fournier added.

“He’s one of those players it will be impossible to replace,” Fournier said. “We just hope the way he handled himself — on and off the field — rubbed off on our younger guys.”

Diamond gem

Although he thrived in two sports at Franklin, playing on the diamond was his first love, he admitted.

“Nothing has stuck with me since I was young like baseball has,” he said. “It’s been No. 1 for me since I was 4 years old and playing T-ball. I’ve met a lot of my best friends playing the sport and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Davis said LCC has a rich tradition of sending players like himself on to upper-echelon collegiate programs.

“I felt really welcomed there and I fell in love with the school right away,” he said. “They have a history of sending players to high D1 and D2 programs, so I’m excited for it.”

Davis isn’t looking too far ahead, though.

The Patriots begin Division 1 district tournament play next weekend.

“This is my last go-around — I’ve been playing with some of my teammates since we were 6 — so it’s like family to me,” he said. “We have like 11 or 12 seniors on the team this year, so hopefully we can go out with a bang.”

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