The crack of the bat, the whiff of a ball hitting a catcher’s mitt, the smell of the freshly cut grass in the air —  these are the sights, scents, and sounds of America’s favorite pastime: baseball. In a sport that has dominated American culture for decades, from high school stadiums to the big screen, Westwood is no different. Never playing in front of empty bleachers, the Warriors are skilled performers on the field, emblematic of a culture much larger than one team. Behind the magic is baseball team captain Justice Moore ‘26.

Beginning to play at the young age of four years old with his father in the backyard, baseball has always been more than a sport to Justice. Just as fast as he learned how to throw a fastball or hit a home run, he learned crucial lessons about the importance of diligence.

Justice’s passion for the game continued outside of those backyard sessions. He started playing for Little League teams and eventually transitioned to playing select baseball in middle school with some of the best youth teams in the nation.

“I got to see a lot of competition at a super young age,” Justice said. “I think that got me a little bit better and got me a little bit further than everyone else.”

Soon enough, the once wide-eyed four-year-old Justice had transformed into an avid competitor, hungry to win. Upon joining the baseball team his freshman year, Justice had to adapt to a completely new environment.

“It was my first time being a part of a team that wasn’t outside of school,” Justice said. “Playing with people that are three to four years older than me was [very] different, but I started to get to know the team, and it was enjoyable. [With] a lot of hard work, I got to get started on my baseball journey.” 

As the years went by, Justice continued to learn to navigate his newfound roles. Playing his first year on varsity as a sophomore, Justice’s next two years would be marked with new challenges, but also new opportunities.

“We had a ton of seniors, and it was my first year [playing on] varsity, so I got to play good competition, and push myself as well as be able to push my teammates to be the best [they] can be,” Justice said. “We made the playoffs, and I got to start, and it was the first time we made the area round in over 21 years, so it was a major accomplishment for the team.”

Eventually, as a senior, Justice ascended to the role of captain and was put in a position where he was asked to lead. Suddenly, his focus transitioned from being the best player he could be to effectively balancing his capabilities, both on and off the field. For Justice, it’s this time as a leader that defines his legacy in high school baseball. 

“I hope that I taught tools and skills that the younger players can use to progress themselves through the rest of the four years they play,” Justice said. “[I hope that] I can be remembered as someone who just gave every ounce of effort I had onto the field.”

In Justice’s eyes, his drive to lead is best exemplified by Tim Tebow, former American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

“Tim Tebow always had a good impression of himself and always had a good reputation. He didn’t play for himself, but tried to carry his teammates around him the best he could. He provided a great example of how you should be on the field,” Justice said. “[He] pushed them to be their best, whether it was in the weight room, the early mornings, the late nights, or the long games on the field. I just hope that I [can] use those skills to push our team to be the best they can be.”

It’s this drive and love of the game that not only made Justice an excellent captain, but also an incredibly talented player. On the field, Justice broke the all-time team record for most hits in a season and led the Warriors to immense success in the playoffs. In Justice’s eyes, however, none of it would have been possible without the consistent effort of his teammates.

“Coming off a seven-win season last year to winning 22 games [this year] has a lot to do with players stepping up and being leaders,” Justice said. “I saw the growth of how people started to buy in and have the belief that we can be a great team. I tried to implement a sense of belief that no matter what your role is, [you have to] do it at 100%.”

Justice’s passion for the game runs deep. Over the next four years, he’ll continue his athletic career at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor while majoring in sports management. However, for Justice, the story of baseball doesn’t end there.

“I hope to stay connected to the game of baseball, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, or even being an analyst,” Justice said. “My goal is to develop and get 1% better each day.”

Justice’s attitude towards baseball is best exemplified by his on-field mentality. Despite his caring and nurturing nature towards teammates off the field, Justice is a completely different beast on the field.

“You have to be a lion when you walk on that field. You have to know you’re better than every player on that field. That’s what makes you great,” Justice said. “Confidence is one of the biggest aspects of baseball. If you have confidence and then can go out in the field and have a good game, that confidence grows even more. You just have to have that mindset that you’re the best one there.”

As his high school baseball career reaches its end, Justice’s memories aren’t just limited to his killer instincts as a hitter or his successes leading the team. They reflect his experiences with his teammates and the joy of taking in everything that is America’s favorite pastime.

“My teammates represent a core memory in my life. I’m going to miss all of them when I go to college, every single one of them,” Justice said. “They all pushed me to be my best, they all encouraged me, and they were all super happy for me whenever I was successful. I was always excited to go to baseball because I was able to hang out with them and get better at the game of baseball, the game that I love.”

Ultimately, as Justice moves on from his dominant four years with the Warriors, he hopes that the influence he had on the team remains, and that future generations of the team will fulfill the legacy his hard work left.

“I hope I left a legacy that the players can look at and use it as motivation to work hard,” Justice said. “I’ve tried to leave everything on the field for Westwood baseball and I’m excited to see where the program goes these next couple years.”