By Kyle Coppola
Fueling Eustis Baseball with Legacy and Love for the Game
Couper Gatch
For Couper Gatch, baseball is more than a game—it’s a passion rooted in family and tradition.
The Eustis High School senior has been playing the sport since he was 6 years old. Now, he leads his varsity baseball team, serving as captain for the second consecutive year.
As the fourth generation of the Gatch family to call their Eustis farm home, Couper blends the pride of his heritage with the determination to excel on the diamond.
“My aunt Rhonda was a huge Atlanta Braves fan,” Couper says. “Her love for the game rubbed off on me. I started throwing the ball around the house and even over the barn, and that’s when I fell in love with baseball.”
That love turned into a talent that has taken Couper far. As a pitcher and outfielder, he’s a versatile player with standout stats. Clocked at 95 mph on the mound and throwing 98 mph from the outfield, Couper’s arm strength is one of his greatest assets. Last season, as a junior, he batted .309 with 19 RBIs while recording 46 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings on the mound. This year, he’s aiming even higher.
“My goal is to throw over 70 strikeouts this season,” Couper says.
His efforts have paid off, earning him a spot to continue his academic and athletic career at Eastern Florida State College.
“I am very excited to continue playing and my goal is to make an NCAA Division 1 roster in the coming years,” Couper says.
Couper attributes much of his success to the support of his parents, Sadie and Eugene, as well as the guidance of Eustis High baseball coach Tony Thomas.
“Without my parents, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Couper says. “They’ve helped me mentally and have guided me to make the right decisions in life. And Coach Thomas never lets us take a day off. He’s taught us the value of commitment and hard work.”
When he’s not on the field, Couper can often be found on the water. An avid fisherman, he’s a part of the Lake County Teen Sportfishing Association and is preparing for the state championships. His largest catch—a bass weighing 11.5 pounds—remains a point of pride.
But for Couper, the common thread between his pursuits is effort and perseverance.
That lesson has stuck with Couper throughout his journey. He even has the phrase written on his mirror as a daily reminder of the effort needed to succeed.
“Coach Thomas always tells us that the game isn’t just about talent—it’s about what you put into it, day in and day out,” Couper says. “Baseball is 90% mental, and you have to want it. You can have all the physical tools in the world, but if your mindset isn’t there, you’re not going to succeed.”
Photos: Nicole Hamel
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
