At just 13, Ethan Walters already plays with the grind and focus of someone chasing big-time dreams. He’s the main guy behind the plate for the Moonshots, but you’ll also catch him holding it down at first and third. Catcher is where he shines, inspired by his all-time hero Yadier Molina. These days, he looks up to JT Realmuto, one of the best in the game, and he’s putting in work every day to climb that same ladder.
A Love for the Game
Baseball’s been part of Ethan’s world since day one. “Me and my dad, we’ve always played baseball off the tee in the living room, or just going outside playing catch since I was probably three or four,” he said. One of his favorite memories? Cranking his first home run at nine years old—a swing he still remembers like it was yesterday.
These days, Ethan’s grinding on his speed. “I think most of the tools that I have are pretty well developed,” he explained. “But the speed, I’ve been kind of lagging behind. So we’ve just been trying to get faster.” That extra work is all about chasing a big dream: locking in a spot on the 15U USA Baseball National Team, a goal that means even more after an injury kept him out of the 12U tryouts.
Game Day Mentality
Ethan’s got his own pregame vibe. Headphones on, music blasting, and about 20 minutes to get in the zone before first pitch. By the time he steps into the box, he’s already played the at-bat in his head: “I always imagine myself smoking a line drive up the middle to the right side. It just gives me that little bit of confidence,” he said.
And when it comes to advice for younger players? Ethan keeps it real. “When you can’t get better physically, if you are not good mentally, you won’t succeed. Just focus on staying calm no matter what.”
Finding His Foundation with SQAIRZ
Ethan’s journey with SQAIRZ began when his family stumbled across an ad. What stood out immediately was the roomier toe design and its promise of balance. From the first time he wore them, Ethan noticed the difference:
“The first time I went to a field, I felt like I had so much more balance. Before SQAIRZ, I was very often off balance when I was hitting. The first time wearing them, I just felt so much more balanced.”
Ethan rotates between turf trainers and cleats, and both give him the confidence he needs in every spot on the field. Behind the plate, at first, or stepping into the box—he knows his footing will hold up. “I really liked the laces because they really keep my shoes tied the entire game,” he said. That’s thanks to the Sta-Put™ lacing system, designed so players can focus on playing instead of stopping to fix their gear. It’s also one of the most common praises we hear—right up there with the gains in exit velocity. Players love not having to think twice about their shoes coming undone, risking an injury on a play, or retying right before stealing second.
The GFP™ Difference
Ethan is part of a growing group of players nationwide who are choosing SQAIRZ GFP™ cleats—the only baseball and softball shoes built on science, engineered with a patented roomier toe box for superior balance. Available in turf, molded, and metal spike options, GFP™ is helping players at every level run faster, throw harder, and hit with more power.
Independent testing has shown:
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+2.0 MPH exit velocity increases at the plate
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+2.1 MPH pitching velocity gains on the mound
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Faster sprint times thanks to greater ground connection
It’s the kind of performance edge that players like Ethan can feel immediately. “I was also hitting the ball a lot harder,” he said. “Knowing that all your tools will work the way they’re supposed to always helps.”
Looking Ahead
With the USA Baseball 15U team on his radar, Ethan is focused on putting in the work and staying ready for every opportunity. If he could design his own cleats, he’d keep it bold—purple with green accents to match his team.
For now, he’s lacing up his GFP™ cleats and chasing the dream that started with backyard catch and tee work in the living room. At 13, Ethan Walters is already proving he’s got the mindset and drive to keep climbing.