Passion, Work Ethic Lead Belt to Tribe Baseball

David Belt's love for baseball is rooted deep within his family tree.

His parents met through their love of the sport: One of the first times Terry Belt met his future wife, Sarina, they were both wearing practice uniforms as center fielders for the baseball and softball teams at Bishop O'Connell High School. Terry Belt continued his baseball career at Georgetown University, then as coach of his two sons when they were younger. 

Both of David Belt's grandfathers played college ball, one who advanced to a short Minor League career and one who got as far as a tryout for the New York Yankees. Two of his uncles — Bill Grossman and John Morabito, both married into the family — played at College of William & Mary and Wake Forest University, respectively. Morabito played a stint with the Chicago White Sox organization.

For David Belt, pursuing a college baseball career was a no-brainer. He had seen it achieved over and over again within his own family. Last fall, he , a Division I program in the Colonial Athletic Association.

With his father and both uncles at some point acting as coach to Belt during his childhood, it is no wonder he has dreams — and the potential — to stretch his career beyond college. And his dream to make it into the Majors started early, his focus more serious than the typical young boy's dream to be a famous baseball player.

"Not to sound cocky, but I always knew I was good. [My family] just always instilled in me to fake it until you make it," the 5'9", 170-pound shortstop said, emphasizing the mental toughness necessary to compete at a high level. "You have to play like you're the best even if you don't think you are. It's an attitude. I always had dreams to play college baseball and pro baseball, if the Lord blesses me. I always set my sights high."

Belt, 18, of Vienna, made the commitment last summer after the Tribe coaches remained interested even after Belt injured his ankle, forcing him to sit out through the major recruiting months. A William & Mary recruiter had seen Belt play during the Flint Hill School Huskies season. 

"He moves very well for a high school shortstop," Frank Leoni, head coach at William & Mary, wrote in an email to Oakton Patch. "I think he'll have above [average] range, and he has shown me enough arm to play on the left side of the infield. At the plate, he showed quick hands and a solid line-drive type swing. ... We have plans for him to compete for significant playing time in his freshman year."

Perhaps best known for his speed — he led the Huskies in stolen bases (16) last year and scored 41 runs — Belt's aggressive style of play is not limited to the base paths. 

Belt aims to always put the bat on the ball, rarely striking out — a strategy that has worked out for him so far, as he boasted an on-base percentage of .600 in 2011 for the Huskies. 

"I'm definitely aggressive at the plate. You have to always have your foot on the gas and thinking you have to get a hit every time," Belt said. "If it's a ball, as a baseball player, you're going to hold up naturally."

He has also developed what Flint Hill Coach Tom Verbanic called "a plus-arm," which, combined with his speed, allows him to play deep and expand his range at shortstop.

And though not a talkative guy, both Verbanic and Belt's father see him as a natural leader because of his stringent work ethic.

"I think he leads by example with his work ethic and the sacrifices he makes," Terry Belt said. "The kids who have common goals observe that, and it shows them how to pursue baseball beyond high school."

That work ethic, his father said, is what makes him confident his son has the necessary tools to balance both a demanding schedule as a baseball player and student at one of the best academic colleges in the country.

"I think like any parent you're worried about the distractions. But I think in terms of his capability, I think he's very capable. It's up to him," Terry Belt said. "... And baseball offers its own life lessons, which I think both my sons have picked up on. Baseball is a game of failure and how you handle and learn from failure makes all the difference in how you become successful. It's preparing my sons for life."

But David Belt said he knew what he was getting himself into when he committed to William & Mary.

"That's exactly what I was looking for, a big balance of academics and baseball. The academics were actually huge in my decision," Belt said.

Regardless of how far the sport takes him or his younger brother Luke, the Belts will forever have baseball in their lives just as they always have. Whether they're taking in a Yankees game, hitting a few in their basement batting cage or discussing the latest developments in Major League Baseball, their connection to the sport has always brought them together.

"Baseball has always been something we can do together as a family. We all genuinely love the sport," Terry Belt said. "It's conversations we can always have to relate to each other."