Mandan’s Jay Flaa – About To Live Out His Dream!

Have you ever had a longtime dream come true? Everything you have dreamed about - imagined a trillion times over - actually happens right in front of your very own eyes. Baseball fields all over the country have seen young kids with worn-out mitts, grass stains, and dirt proudly showing on their uniforms, with just one simple goal in mind. To walk out of the tunnel onto an enormous field with the stands filled with fans awaiting your first game in the Show! I'm talking Major League Baseball. I had that same vision years ago as well. The problem with that though is it is extremely improbable to make it to the professional level. So I wound up playing the sport on Playstation 4.

Now let's talk REALITY - according to Media.Hometeamsonline Less than eleven in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior male baseball players, will get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Approximately one in 200 or approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.

Guess what? Mandan's very own Jay Flaa has defied all the odds AND the ultimate dream HAS come true. KFYRTV reported that yesterday (Monday) Jay got the call from THE Baltimore Orioles! Jay played on the Mandan Braves and that team won the State Championship back in 2010. From there he played college ball with University of Mary, and then he was a member of the 2011 Class-A state Legion champions Mandan Chiefs. His first big break was when he was drafted by the Orioles in the sixth round in 2015.

The greatest thing in life is doing what you love to do, and equal to that thrill is the emotions you bring to your family - Jay's father, Mike posted this to Facebook after hearing that his son had accomplished his dream  "Proud parent moment. Jay was called up to the majors today. All of the hard work has paid off. It has been a long road but no matter how long it lasts you are a major leaguer! Good Luck!” 

Makes us all want to follow the Orioles now!