From Center Field to
CENTERFOLD
KO baseball player debuts in Dick’s Sporting Goods catalog.
— BY PAUL GLASSER —
E
agle-eyed shoppers may have spotted a local student-athlete in
a recent Dick’s Sporting Goods catalog.
Dylan Procopio, a 17-year-old senior at Keystone Oaks
High School, is a member of the Outlaws traveling baseball
team. He, and 15 of his teammates, helped demonstrate the newest
bats, gloves, cleats, sunglasses, and apparel while a photographer
snapped pictures. Procopio also pitches and plays shortstop, center
field, and second base for the high school team.
Last year, the Outlaws attended a casting call at Dick’s corporate
headquarters and met with producers who recorded each player’s size
and position. About a week later, the lucky players were notified and
Procopio says he was excited to be selected because he frequently
shops at Dick’s.
The photo shoot took place in August 2015 at Graham Park in
Cranberry Township. Procopio and his teammates were given generic
jerseys to wear. Wardrobe assistants smeared fake dirt on the uniforms
so that it looked like the players had been giving it their all. Procopio’s
mother, Patty Bell, also helped apply fake sweat and eye black. Bell,
a 1978 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, is a professional
makeup artist and Procopio said he enjoyed working with her.
The team members executed the same drills several times until the
photographer got the shots he wanted. A drone also flew overhead and
took pictures. Other shoots, including one that featured the Olympic
gold medal-winning softball pitcher Jenny Finch, were occurring
simultaneously on other fields. Procopio says he and his teammates
were treated like stars.
“There were snacks all day, a catered breakfast and lunch,” Procopio
says. “They even brought an ice cream truck on set. They really took
care of us.”
It was great to have a sneak peek at the new equipment and Procopio
says he liked the cleats the best. However, at the end of the photo shoot
the players had to give all the equipment back.
“It was a little disappointing we didn’t get to keep anything but we
still had fun,” Procopio says. “I loved that we were the first ones to use
the equipment and test it out before anyone.”
He has been playing sports since he started T-ball at age five.
Procopio says he loves baseball because his father, uncle, and
18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Keystone Oaks
grandfathers all participated as kids and played catch with him while he
was growing up.
“My favorite position to play is shortstop because you’re always in
the game,” he says.
Procopio says his best baseball memory is his first home run when
he was 11 years old during a night game at Pop Murray Field in
Dormont. A lot of spectators were present, including his grandparents.
“As soon as I connected with the ball, I knew it was a home run,”
Procopio says. “It was so exciting to hit it over the tree and into the
street, especially in front of my grandparents.”
There was already a runner on base at the time and Procopio’s home
run won the game. He’s hit more since then and says it always feels
great.
The Pirates are Procopio’s favorite team, and outfielder Andrew
McCutchen is his favorite player.
Procopio plans to play baseball in college and is currently
considering four different schools. He wants to major in sports
management and marketing. However, he has one more season to
finish before he graduates and thinks it will be the best one yet for both
the Outlaws and the Keystone Oaks team.
“We’re all another year older and stronger and have a good handle
on the game now with all of our experience,” he says. n