Versatile Bulldogs Outfielder Bryce Chance Describes Family Impact Ahead of Season
Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance couldn't have started his red-shirt 2023 season much better, as he hit a home run in his first game as a Bulldog and finished that weekend with seven hits in 12 at-bats and won the SEC Freshman of the Week award.
Chance finished the season with 33 hits on 100 at-bats (.330) and recorded 24 runs, 22 RBIs and two home runs.
"Last year was everything I could've asked for, especially since I couldn't play the year before," Chance said on Friday's edition of Dear Ol' State.
Being a Bulldog means so much to Chance because of the impact it's made in his house all his life.
"I grew up as a Mississippi State fan from Ridgeland and we'd drive up every Saturday to go to football games and my dad would keep score (at the scorer's table) at basketball games," Chance said. "My brother, Brooks, is probably the biggest Mississippi State fan I know. He collects a bunch and he always wants a baseball for the team to sign. It really means a lot to get to put on the Maroon and White every day."
For the last few months, Chance explained that he's been working with assistant coach Jake Gautreau on his swing on the offensive end, but on the defensive side of the ball, he's increased his versatility to "help everybody out."
While being positioned all over the field, Chance will be wearing a customized purple and blue glove inspired by his "awesome" brother. Chance showed the glove on Dear Ol' State.
"This is the Autism Speaks blue, my brother is special needs," Chance described. "I actually let him design my glove this year. We looked at the computer one day when I was home and he said he wanted the Autism Speaks blue in there, so we got that for the logo."
Chance said that the purple represents ulcerative colitis, but it also portrays a former Mississippi State outfielder.
"Kellum Clark used to always have purple on his glove and I told that to Brooks, who is a huge Kellum Clark fan," Chance said. "Kellum and I got really close when we were here, and my brother wanted to add purple to it. We went with a purple background with a blue Wilson logo in there."
Chance's versatility allowed him to "finally" get an infield glove, so just like the outfield one, he and Brooks customized this one too.
"I asked what color he wanted to do the base and he said 'Well if it's going to be on the dirt, then I don't want it to get dirty, so let's do a brown color.' The green stitching we just did for fun," Chance said.
When Brooks finished his customization of the glove, Chance added one more aspect without his brother's knowledge.
"I didn't tell him I was going to do this but I put his name on the ring finger, so I got to surprise him with that and he was ecstatic," Chance said. "Whenever I'm done with this glove I'm just going to give it to him. I appreciate him for customizing my glove this year and it came out really well."
