Friendship unites Bruin baseball players

Two Salt Lake Community College baseball players share a bond between teammates that’s nearly impossible to break.

Trevor Peterson and Joe Barlow have been teammates and friends for over a decade, first playing together as All Stars in the Pee-Wee league.

“We’ve been best friends since the first day of first grade,” Peterson says.

Peterson and Barlow have competed together through youth leagues, super leagues, high school and now as members of the Bruin baseball team. And the uniqueness of their friendship carries beyond the diamond, by supporting each other when needed.

“Growing up together, I know his weaknesses and his strengths,” Barlow says. “I know what to say and what to do to get him back to having a positive attitude about the outlook of the game. If he’s going through a rough time, we know how to build each other up.”

Teammates who are friends on and off the field has its advantages, including the positive energy it brings to the rest of the ballclub.

“Having guys like Peterson and Barlow, who grew up together, on the team helps create an atmosphere of unity,” says assistant coach Derek Waddoups.

Waddoups says he noticed their unique bond when he coached them as youths, and recognizes how it affects their teammates and helps each of them play better at SLCC.

“Petey and Barlow have been playing together most of their lives,” Waddoups says. “It is fun to have that built-in chemistry that carries over to the entire team. Their friendship helps others on the team buy into the team concept as they pull for each other. The guys feed off that and it builds the entire group.”

Their close friendship gives them an advantage on the field, one that some players take a season — or a career — to develop.

“Joe likes to back pick runners a lot,” Peterson says. “Since I’m at third and he’s behind the plate, I’m able to get a better feel for when he’s going to throw down. And we’re on the same page, so we are more effective.”

Luckily for them, that chemistry and camaraderie has been paying off.

Peterson and Barlow bring their best to every game for SLCC. And because they’ve been friends for so many years, they know what they need to do to help each other succeed.