For a guy who threw a no-hitter in last year’s semifinal game of the 4A state baseball tournament, Pocatello High School’s Bodie Cooper really does not like to pitch.

    Luckily for Cooper when he attends the College of Southern Idaho in the fall, he won’t have to. The senior captain for the Indians has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career in Twin Falls.

    “I am actually very excited to have not to get on the mound anymore,” Cooper said about not having to pitch at CSI. “I just don’t like being up there. It’s not that much fun.”

    Cooper will be a catcher, a position he is also very good at.

    CSI alums and local baseball stars Christian Colonel and Kody Kirkland have worked with Cooper since he was about nine years old. Having friends that have played in the minor leagues and helped improve and form his game, Cooper naturally felt it would be a good idea to follow a similar path.

    “Christian and Kody were role models in my life, so I figured I would go to school where they did and try to follow in their footsteps,” Cooper said. “When I was growing up I heard they were a powerhouse, and that is what I really liked. They have been successful and lot of kids from Pocatello end up going there, so I wanted to be a part of that.”

    Cooper was an integral part of the Indians 2012 4A state title winning team. He was also a member of the basketball team and the starting quarterback this past fall for the football team, but his love has always been baseball.

    All of the hours spent practicing at the Colonel’s Next Level warehouse, summers playing American Legion and the opportunities playing with the Idaho Cubs have allowed Cooper the opportunity to play at the next level. But with that opportunity he still has things to improve on.

    “I want to get better with the mental aspect of the game,” Cooper said about the goal for the remainder of his senior season. “I wanted to get a little stronger but I am not exactly a weight room junky.”

    The season thus far has definitely challenged Cooper mentally. The Indians lost two players to injury in the same game early this year and have had to use a lot of freshman to fill out the roster, so Cooper has to take more of a leadership role.

    “Last year we had a bunch of guys that had goals to go on and play at the next level. Playing with those kind of guys it is easy to match their intensity and work as hard as them,” Cooper said. “This year we have a different group and have definitely gone through some growing pains, and it is really helping me with my leadership skills.

    “Last year, I could be a little more harsh and vocal. This year, I have to pat guys on the back and tell them to pick it up, so my role this year has been a little different.”

    Cooper had three different schools after his services, CSI, Treasure Valley Community College and Spokane Falls. While each really wanted Cooper to play for them, the inability to offer a significant scholarship and the distance from home eliminated TVCC and Spokane Falls.

    While at CSI playing for the Golden Eagles — who are 24-19 this season — Cooper plans on studying business.