Gunner Peters
Gunner Peters of Sallisaw lives up to his name, especially when the 6-year-old gained popularity recently among his teammates and everyone else who witnessed his baseball unassisted triple play last week during a T-ball game in Muldrow.
Gunner Peters of Sallisaw lives up to his name, especially when the 6-year-old gained popularity recently among his teammates and everyone else who witnessed his baseball unassisted triple play last week during a T-ball game in Muldrow.
His mother, Suellen, said her son, who plays for Muldrow Diamond Dogs, caught a fly ball and tagged out two other runners, and the crowd cheered.
“I looked at my mother and she was about to cry,” said Gunner, who was playing on first base.
“But I saw the ball coming and it surprised me I caught it. Then there was a runner on first and one on second, and I tagged both of them out,” he said.
His mother said everyone came to Gunner after the game and congratulated him, including those from his opposing team.
“He has a really strong arm for his age, but he does love playing baseball,” she said.
Gunner said he has been playing T-ball for the past two seasons.
“When I first started, I was playing for the Pirates, and now the Muldrow Diamond Dogs. I love baseball,” he said.
But baseball is not the only sport he enjoys. Gunner said he also enjoys basketball and football, and said he hopes to be playing football soon.
“My favorite player is LeBron James, and my favorite team are the Gans Grizzlies,” he said.
In addition to sports, Gunner said he also enjoys camping, and riding his bike and his four-wheeler at home.
“He’s a little daredevil. His older brother said he was going to get him into bike racing. His brother said, ‘Gunner is tough. He will try anything’,” mom said.
But other things on Gunner’s mind this week are his upcoming first-grade graduation from Gans Elementary School.
“I get to take graduation pictures and everything,” he said.
Gunner said catching that fly ball Monday and getting two other players out was the highlight of his baseball career.
“I want to keep playing baseball, but I really want to play football,” he said. “My dad practices with me and my cousin and me play on the same team.” Gunner said he has six older brothers and three sisters, but he’s the only one at home now, according to his mother.
Although his young mind hasn’t set his goals in sports too high yet, Gunner said he is interested in OU and OSU football, and likes watching the Lakers and Cowboys.
“More than anything, I want to play for the Gans Grizzlies. That’s who I really want to play for,” he said with a big smile.
In addition to making a triple play Monday evening, Gunner said he also hit his first home run.
“It was exciting. I had a good time playing baseball Monday,” he said. “I want to do it again.”
Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie Remer or Lynn McCulley at 918-775-4433.
