This story originally appeared in the July 26 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here.
Last summer, TJ Sorrell sat in the dugout with his teammates on the J.B. Yeager 16-under baseball team. He can’t recall the exact game or opponent, but he remembers moments of reflection while sitting in a dirty uniform, contemplating his future.
During his more serious moments, Sorrell would squeeze a bat handle or pop a baseball into his glove between at-bats and field appearances. Sometimes, his thoughts drifted to golf — a curious intrusion of one sport into another for the focused Sorrell, who is known for being present in the moment.
Sorrell paid attention to these fleeting thoughts, which gradually became more permanent.
“I decided it would be my last year playing summer baseball,” Sorrell said. “I’m still playing baseball at Bellevue my senior year and I can’t wait. But for college, it’s probably better to pursue a golf path instead of baseball.”
It was a difficult decision for a uniquely talented athlete at a young age. At the time, Sorrell had just completed his sophomore year at Bellevue.
“That’s a big decision for a young kid,” said his father, Tommy Sorrell, the longtime Bellevue girls basketball coach. “He made it, and I think it’s the right idea.”
TJ first picked up a golf club as a preschooler, tagging along with his father to golf courses. The elder Sorrell, a 1995 Bellevue graduate, is also the assistant boys golf coach at the high school. He played baseball at Bellevue but eventually golfed at Northern Kentucky University and continues to play competitively.
TJ began playing youth baseball shortly after starting golf. For years, he balanced both sports, making sacrifices elsewhere. He eventually played both at Bellevue and earned all-area recognition in each. Sorrell hit .353 for the baseball team last season primarily as a shortstop. He added a 3-1 record and a 3.16 ERA as a pitcher. He hit .368 his sophomore year. Sorrell carries a 3.1-handicap in golf and has been a top-10 finisher at the KHSAA Region 8 tournament two years running.
For TJ Sorrell, baseball and golf were equals until this year.
“He’s been playing summer baseball practically his whole life while golfing,” coach Sorrell said. “This summer, he decided to focus on improving his golf game and hopefully earn a golf scholarship. He’s been taking golf very seriously, and you can see his growth on the course. I think he’ll have college options in golf.”
TJ appreciates having options. Not many prep athletes have the ability, discipline and determination to excel in both baseball and golf. His vocational goal to become a nurse also influences his decisions. One thing is certain: TJ will have more college options than golf teammates this year.
“He’s a team of one at Bellevue,” coach Sorrell said.
In fact, there are more Bellevue golf coaches than golfers. The Tigers’ head boys golf coach is former longtime Newport Central Catholic girls basketball coach Christie McDonald. Bellevue doesn’t have a girls golf team.
“It’s kind of weird having no teammates, but I’m used to it,” TJ said. “It’s been that way since I joined in the eighth grade. I was hoping someone younger would come along, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen before I graduate.”
Ever the optimist, TJ remains hopeful. But he’s also a realist.
“Not many people at Bellevue are interested in golf,” he said. “Who knows, I could be the last golfer. But I’m hoping something happens.”
Regardless of the program’s fate, Sorrell will go down in school history as one of its best golfers. He placed fifth at the regional tournament as a sophomore. Sorrell finished 10th last year. He qualified for the state tournament the past two seasons and missed a second-round appearance by two shots last year.
Emboldened by his improvements, he went all-in with golf. Where there used to be baseball games on his schedule, there are now golf tournaments. Through mid-July, he had competed in four events since the end of the school year, finishing runner-up at a Kentucky Junior Tour event. TJ and his father finished third at the Kentucky Adult-Child Scramble. He placed 11th at the Bluegrass Golf Tour Championship.
Where there used to be a void in his schedule, there are now two golf-related part-time jobs. He began as a caddie at Coldstream Country Club in March. In June, he added responsibilities at Pendleton Hills, where he and his father are members.
TJ is mentored outside of high school by University of Cincinnati men’s golf coach Doug Martin, who helps with his short game among other elements. TJ hits the driving range more often, aiming to lengthen his game.
“I miss summer baseball, but I think it’s been worth it to golf,” Sorrell said. “I’ve seen the differences. My bad rounds are dropping into the 70s. My good rounds are going lower. I hope it continues.”