LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - It's safe to say most kids growing up playing baseball dream of making it into the big leagues. Tyler Servais does and doesn't have to look far for his inspiration.
His dad Scott played eleven years in the MLB making baseball everything for Tyler.
"It definitely seems to be, between my dad and his uncle and now me playing at school," said Tyler. "That's what I'm looking to do--go into the minor leagues and play a good career."
He's off to a good start. Tyler just finished up his freshman year at Princeton and is playing well for the La Crosse Loggers. The switch-hitting catcher bats .206 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in, but it's what he's getting out of summer ball that Scott said is huge.
"It's been a great experience for him. He's learned a lot, kind of how hard it is to play this game when you've got to play every day. It's much different than the college season," said Scott.
What's not different is how close Scott and Tyler remain.
Tyler said, "He always liked helping out, coaching my little league teams and helping me out with my swings, my catching. Even [Monday], before we came to the field, we went over to La Crosse Central and hit some in the batting cages, working on my swing, trying to get things adjusted."
And even when Scott, who's in his first year as an assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Angels, can't be there to coach, technology keeps them connected.
"Pretty much every night I get a call or breakdown from the game," Scott said. "What's been great is the Northwoods League has a setup on the computer with a live stream of all the games, so wherever I'm at in the country, I can pretty much track it down at a computer somewhere."
As to the question of whether or not Tyler will take the next step in following his father's path to the pros, Scott thinks he's got a shot.
"He's seen the reality of it, the bus rides and the long seasons and how it takes its toll on you, but he's got aspirations to do that, and if everything goes right, he'll probably get a chance," said Scott.
After all, Tyler's inspiration is never far from home.
Tyler said, "[My dad]'s definitely my baseball hero in everything like that. My mom is my hero in everything else in life. between the two of them, I see my parents as major role models for me."
