BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

ElkLakerising junior Nick Dudock likes playing for the Moosic Mets because of the competition he sees.

Dudock, 16, of Friendsville, said the high school season is like the minor leagues compared to playing for the Moosic Mets Elite team.

“It gives you an opportunity to see different levels of play,” Dudock said. “And take your skills to the next level.”

Dudock is joined on the team byMountain View’s Dylan Thomas, and Montrose Area’s Matt Lewis, who will travel up-and-down the east coast this summer and fall, playing against elite ballplayers.

In his first year with the Mets, Dudock is hoping to get some exposure with major league and college scouts attending the games and showcases the Mets take part in.

Dudock is playing as a utility player for the Mets, seeing time as an outfielder, second baseman and third baseman.

And it’s all the same to Dudock what position he plays, as long as he’s playing.

“I like the outfield, but it doesn’t really make a difference to me, as long as I get to play,” Dudock said.

In addition to playing in tournament, the Mets will take part in Perfect Game showcases throughout the summer, where the Perfect Game organization can document their skill level on the diamond and at the plate.

Playing for the Moosic Mets Elite team is the culmination of many years of competitive baseball for Dudock.

Along with playing forElkLake’s varsity team, he has also played for travel ball clubs since he was nine years old.

His first travel team, the Scranton Storm, was coached by Moosic Mets Manager Bill Nelson.

“That’s how I got involved with the Mets,” Dudock said. “He was my coach when I was on the Storm.”

From there, Dudock competed with the RBI travel team inNew York, and the Chester County Crawdads travel team.

“I take any opportunity I can to play baseball,” Dudock said.

With the Mets, it’s not all about the team’s record at the end of the summer, it’s more about development.

“It’s not really about our record, it’s more about team unity,” Dudock said. “It’s about reaching personal goals, and getting exposure to colleges and scouts.”

While Dudock’s ultimate goal is to get drafted into Major League Baseball out of high school, he would also jump at an opportunity to play in college.

That’s why he surrounds himself with baseball for most of the year, and keeps active in the “offseason” by playing basketball for theElkLaketeam in the winter months.

“Playing other sports is just something fun to do. Baseball is my primary sport,” Dudock said.

The full summer schedule for the Moosic Mets is as follows:

June 22-24, Super 17 Invitational at Diamond Nation,Flemington,N.J.

July 6-13, Perfect Game World Wood Bat 17U National Championships, EastCobb,Ga.

July 15-18,BostonSummer Invitational,Boston, Mass.

July 24-27, Sportszone Invitational Summer Class Tournament & Showcase,Syracuse,N.Y.

July 30, Aug. 4, Blue Chip East Coast Championships at Diamond Nation,Flemington,N.J.

Aug. 10-15, Blue Chip East Coast Championships at Baseball Heaven,Yaphank,N.Y.

Aug. 17-20,Perfect GameNEQualifier 1,Sicklerville,N.J.

Sept. 8-10,Perfect GameNEQualifier 2,Yaphank,N.Y.

Aug. 24-26, ABCCL Invitational Shootout at the Shore,TomsRiver, N.J.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Moosic Mets Fall Wood Bat Classic,Scranton.

Sept. 15-16, Fall Super 17 Invitational,Flemington,N.J.

Oct. 12-14, Antonia Agostinelli Memorial Tournament,Long Island,N.Y.

Oct. 25-29, Fall Brawl Diamond Nation,Flemington,N.J.