Marc Anthony Clauser is just like many others.

Growing up in Toronto's west end, a fondness for baseball, Clauser wanted to take the sport as far as he could - even, if he was so fortunate, to the Major Leagues.

Now, the 20-year old has put things in perspective.

While the passion for baseball is alive and well, and he's had more chances than the average person his age to excel, Clauser is focusing on hitting a grand slam - in education.

An Ontario Scholar while at Richview Collegiate, a school that won three city baseball championships during his four years at the same place, Clauser is focused on completing a four-year program at George Brown College. His plans are to walk away from the Casa Loma Campus with a four-year degree in Technology and Construction Management.

He also doesn't have to look far for employment: his father's business - and something he hopes to keep in the family for many years to come.

As for baseball, Clauser is a left-handed throwing pitcher. His fastball clocked at 83 miles-per-hour. His slider is impressive. So, too, is the change-up. Best pitch: a two-seam fastball. Best way to find out is to see him pitch for the Huskies, who are now part of the inaugural Ontario Colleges Athletic Association baseball season.

Baseball has been with Clauser for years. Just check out the garage door at his residence. Dents. In fact, lots of them that came about as a result of him tossing the ball against the door.

But that was as a kid. Fast forward.

After high school graduation, Clauser decided to head south to the United States.

Off to Rochester, N.Y., and Monroe Community College, a school in the National Junior College Athletic Association, where he thought that just might be the first steps to the big leagues. Clauser said he was promised a scholarship. He was the recipient of one, but only received partial funding.

After one semester, Clauser had enough and went home.

"It looked like the right thing to do at the time," said Clauser. "Turned out that it wasn't right for me."

He signed up at Humber College for some construction courses, but people kept telling him that George Brown was the place to go to specialize in the program and career of his choice.

"Friends of my father, in the industry, talked highly about George Brown College," said Clauser. "Casa Loma is a small campus, different environment from a university, but right up my alley. I'm also not there to party - but getting my degree and moving on."

As for baseball, as a 19-year old, Clauser pitched for the Guelph Royals in the Intercountry Baseball League. He also got invited to a local try-out camp run by the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I love the game and, at one time, thought I was done playing," he recalled. "Less pressure now, letting me focus on my school and taking a break from studies. Being able to play for George Brown is fine with me."

Last year, his first at George Brown, Clauser threw a complete-game two-hitter and recorded the win over York University striking out a dozen.

Source: George Brown College

Photo Credit: Thomas Chung