Article contentPositionsArticle contentGrowing up playing minor baseball in Kensington, Picketts’ main position was catcher. With Cole MacLaren, who played professionally in the Detroit Tigers’ system, handling the bulk of the catching duties with the Islanders, Picketts has been spending a lot of time playing the outfield – a position he played a little in minor baseball.Article content“Duncan is a really good catcher in his own right,” said Hines. “He usually rotates between behind the plate, right field and bats somewhere in the middle of our order.Article content“Duncan is a great player; has a great attitude about the game, and doesn’t get too rattled. He just kind of goes along and whatever happens, it happens.”Article contentDraws on experienceArticle contentPicketts said catching and his previous experience in the outfield has helped with a smooth transition.Article content“Actually, one of the great things about catching for a few years now in this league is I kind of have an idea of what our pitchers are doing; what the hitters do, and how the pitchers are going to pitch,” said Picketts. “A lot of times I’m thinking, ‘If this ball is hit my way, what’s it going to be doing; is he going to be slicing it?’Article contentArticle content“You are always thinking ahead to what base you are going to throw to and just being prepared for the play.”Article content Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders catcher Duncan Picketts prepares to receive a pitch during a game against the Chatham Ironmen at Memorial Field in Charlottetown earlier this summer. The Islanders are hosting the Moncton Mets in a New Brunswick Senior Baseball League regular-season game at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Legends Field on Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Jason Simmonds /Journal PioneerArticle contentPicketts said his confidence continues to grow as an outfielder with more repetitions.Article content“You just try not to keep it too complicated; go get the ball and catch it if it’s in the air, and if it’s on the ground, don’t let it go by you,” said Picketts, who began playing T-ball at age five.Article contentPicketts was immediately drawn to the catcher’s position. Picketts said one reason he developed a love of catching was the opportunity to be involved in every play.Article content“I like working with the pitchers and I like calling the game,” said Picketts. “You can have a really big impact on the game at catcher.Article content“I don’t really know why I started it, but I definitely enjoyed it the most out of any of the positions out there, and I just think it’s because of the constant action.”Article contentArticle contentAnother example of Picketts’ love of baseball is he has set up a batting cage in a barn near the family home. He also assists instructing at minor baseball camps and works with young minor baseball players at his batting cage.Article content“I get out there and swing with a bunch of guys on the team all winter long and all summer,” said Picketts. “It’s open all the time to them and I like to get some kids out and do some lessons. I like to make sure it gets all the use it can.”Article contentFor Picketts, there’s nothing like the sweet sound of a bat meeting a ball.Article content“There’s no better feeling than hitting the baseball right off your barrel and hitting a home run or something like that,” said Picketts. “It’s hard to find a better feeling than that.”Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at the Journal Pioneer in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
Duncan Picketts brings versatility to Charlottetown Islanders
