There you can see hoards of spectators, both kids and adults alike, jostling for position to try and get an autograph from those that have provided the night’s entertainment.

While all are asked, some receive more attention than others. The starting pitcher, for example, always receives attention after the win. And you’d hope to not be claustrophobic if you are the batter that got one out of the park that day.

But so far this season, one athlete — catcher Matthew Graveline — has been receiving more attention than anyone else for his play this season.

Despite just five appearances with the Cutters this season and a .214 average, the Ohio State catcher has already built a reputation with Williamsport in the first half.

Matthew Graveline of the Williamsport Crosscutters takes lead off at first base against the Thunder at Bowman FIeld. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In Williamsport’s only completed home game this season going into Friday’s game, Graveline was a star. Taking on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers last Saturday, Graveline went 1-2 at the plate with a walk and three runs batted in courtesy of a three run blast to left center that proved crucial in the firework-blazing 7-4 decision.

Graveline also provided a spark behind the plate in the win, catching three Mahoning Valley runners stealing while not allowing a stolen base in the win that, at the time, moved Williamsport to the top of the Draft League standings.

“The three steals he threw out, those were huge,” echoed Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas after last Saturday’s win. “It shut that run game down daily early.”

“Arm felt good, body felt good,” discussed Graveline after the home opening performance. “We got the rain out yesterday, that little off day really got me healthy and ready.”

“It felt amazing,” added Graveline on his first home run of the season, one of just two Cutters to get one out of the park so far. “I was sitting on a fastball the whole at bat. He threw one that I fouled off. Then he threw the slider in the dirt, and then I finally got the pitch I was looking for and put a good swing on it.”

Matthew Graveline of the Williamsport Crosscutters stretches out before the game against the Thunder at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The early-season heroics are a stark contrast to his previous escapades in the summer. This time last year, the Ohio native was floundering as a member of the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League, a tenure that saw him bat just .138 across nine appearances. For every two hits that Graveline recorded with Bourne, he would concede a double play (four hits, two grounded into double plays)

But the failures of last summer seem far away and with the catapulting efforts last weekend, Graveline has turned into a mainstay in Williamsport’s order.

Initially struggling in the opening series against the Trenton Thunder, Graveline has come to his own. In his last three games, the catcher is 3-9 at the plate, with all three of his hits going for extra bases. Going into the weekend, his five runs batted in, all coming in the last three contests, lead the Cutters.

The 21-year-old has kept a steady diet of walks, culminating with an on-base percentage of .500, good for fourth on the roster.

When asked last Saturday if this early run would continue, Graveline showed a smile of determination before saying “Oh yeha, oh yeah.”

Matthew Graveline of the Williamsport Crosscutters takes some cuts during batting practice of the at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette