Five concussions haven't stopped Shae Stobert from finding a way to play ball.

Stobert understands the risks. But the Butler County Community College sophomore doesn't change how he plays.

He doesn't want to lose his edge.

“I am a little concerned. It's all a part of the game, injuries happen everyday.” Stobert said. “If you worry about that when you're playing, you won't have fun. You'll worry if I do this I'm going to get hurt.

“You need to find a way to get past it. I realize if I get one more, I'm going to be done. If it happens, it happens.”

Stobert, who batted .464 for the Butler City legion team and was picked for the All-Star game, earned a $1,000 scholarship for his perseverance through tough circumstances.

Butler City manager Jerry Piroch felt Stobert was a leader on his team, which missed out on the playoffs.

“We didn't have that stellar team, but you could never tell by his emotions on or off the field,” Piroch said. “He's the guy you don't have to tell be there, where the game's there at or what time it starts.”

The first concussion, much like most of his, happened by a freak accident. Stobert was in the summer before seventh grade playing baseball with some friends.

He bent down to pick something up and stood up to find himself in the middle of his friend's backswing with an aluminum baseball bat.

Stobert lost his hearing in his right ear as a result of that concussion.

Six weeks later, Stobert got his second going up for a layup at Slippery Rock University.

He landed on the corner of a bench and got knocked unconscious.

That resulted in him being taken out of the last month-and-a-half of school and he was soon diagnosed with Tourrette syndrome.

He couldn't focus in class and had problems comprehending things.

When he returned for ninth grades, things weren't always easy due to the facial ticks that came along with having Tourrettes.

“People aren't accustom to it. When you make weird movements they are going to be concerned or wonder 'What is this kid doing?',” Stobert said. “I've been made fun of for it in the past and have lost a few friends to it.”

Stobert played basketball at Butler High School and baseball until he was a sophomore.

His third concussion came when he got elbowed in the face in practice early in high school and his fourth when a kid landed on his head during basketball.

Stobert's last once came in his junior year.

Playing a Palomino league game, he collided with a base runner who didn't slide at second base. Since his junior year, Stobert has been concussion-free and has enjoyed playing a last season of legion and at BC3.

Whether or not he plays at BC3 again will depend on the coach. Piroch believes Stobert's versatility will help him should he continue.

“The only place I never put him was the outfield,” Piroch said. “He hadn't caught since he was 12, but we gave him the gear. He was pretty good behind the plate.”

Stobert is just happy to still have opportunities.

“I've kept going with it and I'm thankful for everyday since,” Stobert said.