One of Atmore’s Cal Ripken league products just committed to play baseball at Tuskegee University.

Nytorious Cooler, who is a resident of Semmes, played baseball in Atmore since he was 5 years old. In eighth grade, he played for the high school squad for two years before moving to the city in Mobile County.

Cooler said what he loves about baseball the most is the competition.

“The tempo isn’t as fast as basketball or football,” the multi-sport athlete said. “I also like how everybody can play the game.”

Cooler plays at pitcher, second base and shortstop.

Cooler said he looked at Tuskegee’s program and felt like it was a good place to play.

“Going in as a freshman, I knew I was going to major in political science and their law program,” he said. “When I saw their team and knew they needed more pitchers, I knew I could be an asset. I called the coach.”

In addition to playing the game he loves himself, Cooler said his dad and grandfather played the game as well.

It was his parents that pushed him to play baseball in the first place.

“They pushed me in everything,” Cooler said. “Once they saw that I was talented in baseball, they pushed me to focus on that sport.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents or God,” he said.

As a senior at Semmes, Cooler finished with an 6-6 record on the mound and with a .508 earned run average.

Cooler said baseball is his favorite sport because it’s a unique game.

“It’s a sport you can’t just pick up and do,” he said. “You have to work at it, and craft it. I’m not saying it’s not for everyone. It’s just hard to pick it up and start doing.”

Cooler is the son of Tanyeka and Nehemiah Cooler of Semmes.