Seth Beer: Playing for National Team will honor late grandfather

Beer celebrates with his teammates after a walk-off single to beat Furman last week

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu May 12 08:01:02 GMT-04:00 2016

CLEMSON – Clemson’s Seth Beer will don the national colors this summer when he plays for the U.S. Collegiate National Team, but don’t think he takes the honor lightly. He won’t. Every time he puts on a uniform that says USA across the front he will think about his grandfather.

The Collegiate National Team plays an international friendship series at Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Cuba starting July 5. The team's training begins June 27 in California, and Beer says it’s a dream come true to be selected.

But Beer’s thoughts won’t be entirely about baseball – he will carry the memory of his grandfather with him when he plays, and when he puts on the uniform.

“It means a lot, and I don't have words to describe it,” Beer told TigerNet earlier this week. “It was a dream come true to me, and it was emotional for me because my grandfather was a Marine and he fought for the United States and loved being a part of the United States. I think it was huge for me too because I get to honor our country the way he honored his. I think it's a great feeling knowing he's up there and proud right now.”

Beer’s grandfather, Don Sether, passed away in late March at the age of 77. Sether served with the United States Marine Corps from 1959-1963, and Beer is proud of Sether’s service.

“I called him Pop, but it's Don Sether,” he said. “He taught me a lot of things that I really equate to baseball, and I know he's smiling right now, and I'm smiling back. It's just been a great feeling being a part of this team.”

Beer couldn’t believe the news when first heard about his selection.

“When Coach (Monte) Lee first told me, he pulled me aside and told me congratulations, and I said for what, and he goes, 'You made Team USA.' I teared up a little bit because it's such a huge dream for me and to actually see it happen is pretty cool. I shook Coach's (Lee) hand, and he gave me a huge hug. He had a huge smile because he was excited too. All of my teammates were happy for me too, and it's just a good feeling.”

Beer is named after his grandfather in a way – Seth is short for Sether – and he thinks about his “Pop” every day.

“My grandpa was actually a writer, so he wrote up all of the reports and stuff,” Beer said. “He is a fan of our military and the United States, so it's a great feeling to make him proud. I know he will be watching. It means a lot to me to put on that uniform and honor him in that way. Chris Okey told me that every time I hear the national anthem after playing for Team USA, it's just different.”

Okey also dispensed some other valuable advice.

“The one thing he told me is to enjoy it. Whether it happens, one time, two times, just enjoy it because you get to put on that USA jersey, and it's fun,” Beer said. “The traveling is fun, and you'll meet a lot of friends that you'll have forever, and it's a good experience.”