Brain tumor survivor realizes college baseball dream
By Jackson Fuller WILMINGTON StarNews Staff
Posted Feb 6, 2019 at 6:00 AM Updated Feb 6, 2019 at 8:23 AM
Coastal Christian senior catcher overcomes medical issues, injuries and rejection to sign with Barton College
A brain tumor at the age of 10 nearly ended Zion Kinlaw’s baseball career. On Thursday, the Coastal Christian senior will celebrate his future in the sport.
That’s when the Centurions will host a signing ceremony for Kinlaw to honor his November commitment to Barton College. Nine years after doctors were unsure Kinlaw could ever play baseball again, he will now get another four years on the diamond.
“I’m very head strong on stuff,” Kinlaw said. “If I set a goal, I really want to meet it. When I was in middle school I wanted to play in high school. When I got to Coastal Christian, I wanted to find a way to play college baseball. One day I want to be in the pros, but I know how blessed I am to get this opportunity with Barton.”
Kinlaw’s journey to this point was never easy. After a successful surgery in Chapel Hill removed his brain tumor, Kinlaw had to take marginal steps back to full speed on the baseball field.
First, he had to wear a helmet at all times, even when taking grounders at practice. As he became healthier, there was an innings limit during games.
He had another surgery in 2014 when a titanium plate came loose. As a freshman in 2016, he was cut during tryouts for the Ashley baseball team. The following season he broke his mandible and had his jaw wired shut after a teammate’s bat slipped and hit Kinlaw in the face.
Even with all that, Kinlaw has arrived at this point thanks to his determination. He transferred to Coastal Christian for his junior season and switched his focus into high-gear. He began working on baseball almost every day, changed his diet and committed to a weight-lifting regime, all with an eye on college baseball.
“If it were me, I would have quit,” said Jennifer Kinlaw, Zion’s mom. “After his injury as a sophomore I thought he’d be done, but he kept coming back asking when he could play again. It’s strong will.”
Once he was fully back on the field, Zion’s path to Barton was a quick one. He hit .250 and was the starting catcher for last year’s Coastal Christian team that reached the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship. He started gaining interest from schools like Methodist and UNC Asheville.
However, the hunt for a future home ended when he attended a prospect camp at Barton College in October. Zion committed shortly after because was immediately attracted to the mindsets from head coach Jim Chester and recruiting coordinator Zach Ullrich.
“Everything there felt right,” said Zion of the Division II school in Wilson. “The coaches were very genuine, but they were still straight-up with you. They were evaluating you and trying to see if you were coachable. That experience really made me like Barton more than some of the other schools.”
By Jackson Fuller WILMINGTON StarNews Staff
Posted Feb 6, 2019 at 6:00 AM Updated Feb 6, 2019 at 8:23 AM
Coastal Christian senior catcher overcomes medical issues, injuries and rejection to sign with Barton College
A brain tumor at the age of 10 nearly ended Zion Kinlaw’s baseball career. On Thursday, the Coastal Christian senior will celebrate his future in the sport.
That’s when the Centurions will host a signing ceremony for Kinlaw to honor his November commitment to Barton College. Nine years after doctors were unsure Kinlaw could ever play baseball again, he will now get another four years on the diamond.
“I’m very head strong on stuff,” Kinlaw said. “If I set a goal, I really want to meet it. When I was in middle school I wanted to play in high school. When I got to Coastal Christian, I wanted to find a way to play college baseball. One day I want to be in the pros, but I know how blessed I am to get this opportunity with Barton.”
Kinlaw’s journey to this point was never easy. After a successful surgery in Chapel Hill removed his brain tumor, Kinlaw had to take marginal steps back to full speed on the baseball field.
First, he had to wear a helmet at all times, even when taking grounders at practice. As he became healthier, there was an innings limit during games.
He had another surgery in 2014 when a titanium plate came loose. As a freshman in 2016, he was cut during tryouts for the Ashley baseball team. The following season he broke his mandible and had his jaw wired shut after a teammate’s bat slipped and hit Kinlaw in the face.
Even with all that, Kinlaw has arrived at this point thanks to his determination. He transferred to Coastal Christian for his junior season and switched his focus into high-gear. He began working on baseball almost every day, changed his diet and committed to a weight-lifting regime, all with an eye on college baseball.
“If it were me, I would have quit,” said Jennifer Kinlaw, Zion’s mom. “After his injury as a sophomore I thought he’d be done, but he kept coming back asking when he could play again. It’s strong will.”
Once he was fully back on the field, Zion’s path to Barton was a quick one. He hit .250 and was the starting catcher for last year’s Coastal Christian team that reached the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship. He started gaining interest from schools like Methodist and UNC Asheville.
However, the hunt for a future home ended when he attended a prospect camp at Barton College in October. Zion committed shortly after because was immediately attracted to the mindsets from head coach Jim Chester and recruiting coordinator Zach Ullrich.
“Everything there felt right,” said Zion of the Division II school in Wilson. “The coaches were very genuine, but they were still straight-up with you. They were evaluating you and trying to see if you were coachable. That experience really made me like Barton more than some of the other schools.”
