Paul Simon’s 1986 hit “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” resurrected his musical career post-Garfunkel. Forty years later, a kid from Dublin is working on a career with diamonds under the soles of his shoes. Baseball diamonds, that is.

For 9-year-old St. Brigid of Kildare student Jack DeLucia, life on the diamond was almost a foregone conclusion. “My dad and uncles played baseball growing up, so I started playing it,” says Jack, who began playing tee ball when he was 3. “I knew that was a sport that I was going to love,” he recalls.

DeLucia’s dad played baseball at Bishop Watterson High School and then was captain for Ohio State. He now coaches Jack’s baseball team, the Dublin Bombers. “My dad is my biggest role model in baseball,” says Jack. “He pushes me to be the best teammate I can be.” 

“My uncles are my sporting heroes,” says Jack. One uncle was a three-time captain at Ohio State before playing a handful of minor-league seasons. He is now pitching coach for the Worcester Red Sox, the top minor-league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Another uncle played professional hockey for the Blue Jackets, and still another played football at Ohio State. “They are really supportive of me and come to cheer me on at my games when they can,” says Jack. That’s an impressive fan club.

Jack, who plays shortstop, enjoys the camaraderie of the sport. “I like to play with my friends because they are really nice and fun to be around,” says Jack. Their team participates in tournaments around the state. “We went to Mason, Ohio, and went to Kings Island and stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge as a team. It was so fun to all be together in a hotel with water slides!” Jack says. The Bombers have won several tournaments, so it’s not all fun and games on the road trips.

Last summer Jack got to spend time with some of his baseball heroes when he was invited onto the field at Cleveland Guardians games. “I was able to meet some of the players and got a baseball signed by them,” he says. “It was a really cool experience to be on the field with some big leaguers!”

As for his own heroics, Jack’s favorite memory was winning a game with a walk-off hit. “It felt really good to do that for my team, and it was nice having them cheer for me,” he says. His other favorite moments are when his extended family members come to watch him play. “I am very lucky to have such a big group cheering for me at games,” Jack says.

For those 3-year-olds just taking up tee ball, Jack has some worldly advice gained from his six years on the diamond. “Find a team that builds you up and has great coaches and teammates,” he says. “And always keep your eye on the ball!”

As for Jack, he has his eye on the future. He hopes to continue playing and extending his career into high school, college and beyond. “My dream is to be back on Progressive Field one day signing balls for young baseball players like me,” he says. 

He’s off to a great start—and he’ll have a huge fan club cheering him on wherever he finds a diamond under the soles of his cleats.