Brock delivers while playing key role for Express

DYERSVILLE, Iowa, Eau Claire Express baseball player Hollon Brock had never been to the Field of Dreams.

But it was a place he knew all about.

"I've seen the movie a bunch of times," he said. "It's a great movie, it's iconic. I always wanted to come here."

Brock received an opportunity to live one of his baseball dreams this past Wednesday at the Northwoods League All-Star Game.

Brock was the starting catcher for the Great Plains team in a game that was played at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa.

He also took part in Tuesday night's Home Run Derby in the stadium located adjacent to the movie site.

"This is one of the coolest moments I have ever experienced in my life," Brock said. "Being at the Field of Dreams is unbelievable. Playing in this stadium and checking out the movie site, it gave me goosebumps. It's incredible."

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Brock has experienced plenty of memorable moments in the Midwest during a productive season with the Express.

The southern Alabama native is batting .362 with four home runs and 25 RBIs for Eau Claire.

"Hollon has really brought consistency while catching, playing first base and being a DH," Express manager Dale Varsho said. "He has been really clutch for us. He is a good hitter who doesn't strike out much. He gets after it every day.

"He hits the ball well to all fields. He can pull the ball and also go the other way. He uses the entire field really well."

The 21-year-old Brock is from Fairhope, Alabama and plays collegiately in his home state for the University of Montevallo, an NCAA Division II school.

Brock arrived in Eau Claire this season after Montevallo second baseman McGwire Turner played for the Express last year.

"Coach (Chandler) Rose has been sending two or three guys to Eau Claire every year for the past few years," Brock said. "The Montevallo connection has worked out really well with the Express."

Brock was one of six Express players who took part in the Northwoods League All-Star Game last week.

"It's awesome to have five other guys with me," he said Wednesday. "Everybody here deserves to be here. It's great to have some familiar faces from Eau Claire here and get to experience this together."

Brock has high aspirations of what he wants to achieve in his baseball career as a possible professional prospect.

"I have one or two more years of college left," he said. "I am just going to work as hard as I can. If the opportunity presents itself, it's in God's hands, I want to play as long as I can."

Brock said he plans to remain with the Express through the rest of the summer.

"The biggest thing for me is just having fun playing the game of baseball," he said. "It is easy to get caught up in the stats and playing every day, but I am just trying to enjoy the games and the experience. And help this team win."

Brock and the Eau Claire team are looking to make a strong run in the second half of the Northwoods League season.

"We have a really good team," he said. "We are playing good baseball. Everyone is swinging the bat well and we are getting good pitching. We just have to keep it going and keep the momentum."

The Express won their fourth straight game Friday night at Thunder Bay.

"Winning is fun. Losing is not fun," Brock said. "That is the goal this summer, to have as much fun as possible."