Andrew Law’s on a Historic Mission
by: Terrence Payne

Law scores a Blue Sox run Courtesy of Donna Duval

In the long storied tradition of Major League Baseball, only a few families have had three generations play in the big leagues. But 24 year old, Andrew Law is attempting to put his family into that category.

Law, an infielder at Brigham Young University, is the son of 11 year MLB veteran and current BYU head coach Vance Law and grandson of 1960 Cy Young winner Vern Law. He is on a mission to follow in their footsteps. Good thing for Law, he has already had experiences with missions.

Law played his freshman season at BYU in 2005, but his sophomore season would have to wait. Law, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, went to London, England to serve a two year mission. “Most amazing time of my life,” said Law. During his two years in England, he would spend every day studying scriptures and spreading the message of God.

But missions are difficult for any young Mormon. Adjusting to a new setting and having limited contact with love ones is difficult, but it can be harder for an exceptional athlete like Law. He was in a country that didn’t play his sport and when baseball season began, he missed the game. “When the season rolled around I remember stressing about it,” said Law. “The team is playing right now and I’m in a different country.”

Once Law returned home, his spiritual mission was complete and now began his athletic one. However this was not an easy transition.

When he stepped back onto the diamond, he admits it was difficult renewing his competitive drive. “You come home fairly passive,” said Law. “It’s difficult for anyone coming off a mission.”

No one knows this better than his father and head coach, Vance. Year after year coach Law sees players return from missions, while having lost some of their competitive edge. “It took Andrew a little bit of time to get his swing back and

Law rips a double vs. Laconia Courtesy of Terrence Payne

regain the confidence he had as a freshman,” said coach Law. But the two year layoff didn’t stop Law from being a staple in the BYU line-up his sophomore and junior years.

Entering his senior year at BYU, Law was elected captain by his teammates. He started off his final campaign for the Cougars red hot, batting .471 with four stolen bases in the first four games.

Unfortunately, in a game against UC-Davis, Law, while on his way to another stolen base, felt a pop in his leg. “I took off running and the last step before I slid into second base I felt a pop in the back of my left knee,” said Law.

Courtesy of Donna Duval

The pop turned out to be a tear in his hamstring, an injury that would eventually end his senior season and leave a void in the line-up. “It took away a lot of our team speed,” said his father. “He was a table setter for us and we lost that.” Although Law cheered on teammates and stayed focused on the game, it wasn’t the same as being out there. “He was down about it,” said coach Law. “He just felt like he wasn’t a part of it anymore.”

BYU filed a request for a medical redshirt on Law’s behalf to the NCAA. NCAA rule states that a player can play in 33 percent of his games up to the half way point to receive a medical redshirt. Although Law has not yet heard from the NCAA he is confident he will play this spring for his father.

After prolonged rehab on his hamstring, Law was once again ready to take the field. He would make his return two thousand miles away in Holyoke, Mass., playing for the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). He joined the Sox a few weeks into the season and quickly became a contributing part of the team.

It was a tough adjustment for Law, switching to a wooden bat and getting his first game action since his hamstring injury. But he is currently hitting .319 with 7 RBI. Since the 4^th of July, Law has heated up, batting .444 and has 5 multi hit games. In the field he is just as effective, playing solid second base and centerfield.

He’s a great teammate as well as being a great player. “He’s one of the nicest kids, he’s real easy going,” said teammate Chris Migani. “He brings camaraderie to the team.”

However, Law’s summer in Holyoke is rapidly ending. He hopes to receive his medical redshirt and return to BYU this fall and continue his mission to make it to the majors.

Law lays down a bunt vs. Laconia Courtesy of Donna Duval

Law says his family doesn’t put any pressure on him to continue his baseball career. “If I wanted to quit today they would have no problems,” he said. He plays strictly for the love of the game and the desire to play professionally.

Like any father, Vance Law would love to see his son play in the big leagues, but is supportive if he doesn’t. “It would make me very proud, but even he if he doesn’t I’m still a proud dad, he’s a great young man.”

Even if his big league dreams never pan out, Andrew Law is blessed with a talented and wonderful family. And the game of baseball has brought them closer.