Tim Freiling is a huge hit

By Joe Mason
For the Times

The fall season was very good to Tim Freiling.
Earlier in the school year, Freiling, a sophomore at Northeast High School, had the chance to lead his soccer team to the Public League semifinals as the Vikings’ starting goalie.
Also, as a kicker, he helped the Vikings reach the semifinals of the Public League football playoffs.
Yes, the beginning of the school year was fun and exciting. But the Fox Chase resident is hoping the spring is just a little bit better.
Freiling grew up playing soccer and football. He liked both sports and always enjoyed spending time on the field. But neither was "his sport."
"Baseball has always been my favorite," Freiling said. "I’ve been playing it the longest and I just love everything about it. I love hitting, I love thinking baseball, I love talking about it. I love pretty much everything about it."
Even the pain that goes with the sport.
Last year as a freshman, Freiling was a standout in rightfield. He even made the Public League Carpenter Cup squad and was considered one of the top players in the city.
This year, he’s still considered a fine player, but now he’s doing a little bit of everything from his new position.
"I played catcher growing up but last year we had Derek Butler, a senior, and he was really good," he said. "So I was just happy to play; I didn’t mind playing the outfield.
"But this year we needed someone back there, and it’s my favorite position, so I was pretty happy when I got a chance to play back there."
But there are some drawbacks.
Freiling stands 6-feet-5, so after the games he needs plenty of ice and a little relaxation to regroup from seven innings of squatting.
There are other hazards of the game. Among them: a fastball from Vikings’ ace pitcher Joe Breitweiser.
"That was the biggest change," Freiling said with a smile. "Joe throws hard. I caught at Fox Chase and no one threw like Joe. The first time I caught him, we were practicing indoors and he split my fingernail. It hurts, I just try to shake it off, but it does hurt."
Cuts, bruises, aches and pains are all part of the game.
So is pressure.
Standing between the pipes during soccer season is pretty brutal, but lining up for a field goal during football season is even tougher.
Now, Freling is no longer standing in the outfield. He’s in the thick of the action. He’s also the coach on the field.
"I’m calling most of the pitches, that’s something new," he said. "When Brandon O’Malley (2004 graduate of Northeast and former All-Public catcher) is home, he comes down and works with me.
"It’s fun," he continued. "The best part is that I’m trying to show everyone what I can do. We have a lot of very good leaders, a lot of good seniors who know how to lead. I’m learning from them and I’m trying to show my coach and the rest of the players that some day I’ll be a pretty good leader."
Especially if he perfects calling the game.
"Calling the game is tough," he added. "Coach (Sam) Feldman has worked with me . . . I’ve had a lot of help, but still, when you’re out there, you have to be real careful. You don’t want to call a bad pitch, you want to make sure the pitcher is comfortable and you want to make sure you know what the hitter likes to do. I think I’ll get more comfortable as the season goes on.
At the plate, though, he seems to be very comfortable. This year, Freiling has been one of the Vikings’ most productive hitters.
On March 30, he belted a monster three-run home run in Northeast’s 17-7 victory over George Washington High School in a Public League A Division game. With the win, Northeast improved to 2-1. Their only loss was to Frankford, a team that has reached the Public League championship game during the past five seasons.
This year, the young catcher is hoping his team has what it takes to make the Public League title game.
And it is a distinct possibility.
Under Feldman, the Vikings have been extremely successful, making it to the championship game three times and making it to the semifinals in each of his seven years as skipper.
"It’s a tough league, it’s always a tough league," Freiling said. "Washington is a really good team, Frankford is good. We played GAMP and they’re really good, Central is good. It’s a tough league, and honestly, I think a lot of teams can win.
"But I also think we have a good shot at it, I really do," Freiling added. "This is a good team. We have really good pitching, really good leaders and some really good hitters. This team has a lot of potential, so it’s up to us to see how far we can go."
Either way, Freiling is going to enjoy himself, much like he did during his football and soccer seasons.
"I like the fall, but the spring is the best," he said with a smile. "This is my favorite time of year, and we’re just getting started." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com