https://www.tiktok.com/@espn/video/7297372510549675310

Fourteen seconds was all it took for Chad Helwich, a freshman at PennWest California, to round the bases in a viral TikTok posted by ESPN on Nov. 3, 2023 that gained over 180 thousand likes. For comparison, it takes the average professional baseball player 16.7 seconds to round the bases, making his feat much more impressive. Helwich partly owes his childhood and his family for his blinding speed.

“I’ve always been fast as a young kid, running around and competing with my older cousins,” said Helwich. “But I believe I get it from my dad and grandpa.”

While baseball is his main sport, and the one he will be playing at PennWest California, Helwich has also played dek hockey growing up, which added more physicality and speed to his skill set.

“I’ve played baseball all my life, but I also played dek hockey for about 12 years of my life,” Helwich added. “Dek hockey is a lot of running and aggressive, similar to regular ice hockey. I like to say that my speed comes naturally, but with lots of hard work.”

Helwich played this game with the Pittsburgh Hardball Academy, and he expressed what the Pittsburgh Hardball Academy stands for.

“Our organization’s name is Pittsburgh Hardball Academy,” said Helwich. “They take inner city kids and under-represented youth and give them the spotlight similar to suburban kids and big organizations.”

Now at PennWest California, Helwich is excited not only to play baseball, but also to pursue his education. He has been connecting with his fellow players and is excited for the challenge that the year will bring.

“I’m very excited to be here at Cal,” said Helwich. “I’m a first-generation college student so making my family proud definitely gives me a lot of motivation to start off the school year. I’m very excited to play baseball at Cal. I’ve built good connections with my teammates and coaches, but I’m mostly excited to battle and compete with my teammates.”

Helwich has also been staying active in preparation for the baseball season, and he has a message to fans of the Vulcans.

“I’ve been training all summer and now in the fall. So, I’m really excited to bring this speed to the baseball field this spring,” Helwich remarked.

Students will be able to watch Helwich play in the spring, as the freshman athlete will bring his speed to the field. We wish him luck with his first year at PennWest California!