The talent has always been there for St. Charles North’s Mason Netcel.
He was called up to varsity in the middle of his freshman season. The senior infielder then committed last September to Division I Indiana State, firmly establishing his pedigree.
One thing Netcel has struggled with, however, was when things didn’t go his way. Getting a handle on his mindset this season has helped him unlock another level to his elevated game.
“I’m happier with the mental side than the stats,” Netcel said. “My main goal this year was to be more positive and not let things get to me as much.
“There are times where it is pretty hard to stay positive, but I’m pretty proud of how I’ve handled it.”
It’s an area of the game that more people seem to be willing to discuss now than in the past.
For Netcel, it has meant everything.
“It was huge for me just because as a kid I would strike out and I would be fuming,” Netcel said. “Learning how to deal with that through the years and not bring it onto the field is big.”
North Stars coach Todd Genke
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has been proud of the work that Netcel put in to get to this point.“He’s grown up a lot,” Genke said. “We’ve put a lot on him with leadership and he’s had to mature into it. He’s a special talent. Oftentimes, he’s the most talented kid on the field. When he doesn’t make a play or do something he thinks he should, he’s way better now at handling the adversity.
“That’s part of the maturation process. I’m proud of how he’s developed as a human and as a player.”
As a former minor league pitcher, Genke knows what Netcel has faced. Being the most talented player on the field and securing a Division I scholarship puts a target on your back.
“It’s hard growing up, especially when you have talent and it comes easy to you,” Genke said. “People expect things and those expectations can feel like a weight on your back.
“The maturity that he’s showed has been evident.”
As a result, Netcel has put together a solid final season for St. Charles North (20-12-1).
Heading into Wednesday’s Class 4A regional semifinal at home against Dundee-Crown, Netcel is hitting .320 with 31 runs, 13 doubles, five homers and 19 RBIs. His .492 on-base percentage is buoyed by 22 walks and being hit by a pitch 11 times.
“He’s an incredibly hard worker too,” Genke said. “When you have talent and you’re willing to be coached and you have that drive and work ethic, special things can happen.
“He’s a great teammate as well.”
Netcel figured that type of success would lead to a line of colleges looking to secure his services.
In the day and age of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness, however, opportunities for high school players are becoming even more difficult to find.
Netcel only had two offers — Indiana State and a junior college in Wisconsin.
“It stunk for the first year, honestly,” Netcel said. “I got nothing at all. I see my peers getting offers to Big Ten schools and I feel like I can play just as well as them and I didn’t have anything.”
After impressing at Indiana State’s camp, Netcel came back for a visit and immediately received the much-awaited offer.
“I didn’t really have anything else and I love to play,” Netcel said. “I felt like I fit in pretty well and I wanted to be there.”
Netcel, though, wants to make a deep run before heading to Terra Haute.
“We have a great vibe going into the postseason,” Netcel said. “I feel like we can go on a pretty good run.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.