Former big leaguer going to bat for Erie County families

SANDUSKY — He's stepped up to the plate for multiple big league teams.Now, with a new, more permanent squad, Brian Bixler continues going to bat — but, this time, for lesser-fortunate children and underprivileged adults to help make their lives better.Bixler, a 2001 Perkins High School graduate, and former professional baseball player, serves as Erie County Job and Family Services fiscal supervisor.His responsibilities include overseeing a good portion of all financial activity occurring in the agency. He's also tasked with implementing strategies in making services, such as transporting locals to out-of-town medical appointments, more cost-effective for taxpayers fronting these expenses.Similar to his baseball career, Bixler has moved up the ranks within his current organization at job and family services. Before receiving a call-up to fiscal supervisor, two years ago, Bixler started with the agency as its child support department supervisor.And he keeps getting promoted: He recently became part of the agency's brain trust — consisting of a select few high-level employees, such as executive director Karen Balconi Ghezzi and deputy director of social programs AJ Lill — which makes pivotal in-house decisions on issues related to adoption, foster care, child support, food stamps and much more.Bixler feels honored to serve his hometown in a role thousands, directly or indirectly, depend upon."It's all about helping people and giving them any assistance they need," said Bixler, who's married to his wife, Jessica. Together they maintain a residency in the area, raising their four young children."Everybody here works hard to help the community."Brian Bixler, a 2001 Perkins High School graduate who played parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball, now serves as Erie County Job and Family Services fiscal director.Playing in the big leaguesThe Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Bixler in 2004. He previously developed his craft at Eastern Michigan University and, before then, Perkins High School.Toiling in the minor leagues for five seasons, on April 6, 2008, Bixler joined an exclusive club less than 20,000 people belong to today. As a comparison, there are about 24,000 people residing in Sandusky.Bixler can still fondly recall his first Major League Baseball experience, a truly unique one, happening in Miami, Florida."I had to fly in the morning of the game," said Bixler, who departed from Providence, Rhode Island. "By the time I got off the plane and took a cab to the stadium, it was the third inning. I didn't get to go through the normal routine of pregame preparation, stretching or hitting. I got there, threw my stuff on, put some of my belongings in a locker and went to the dugout."Neither the trip nor his first at-bat went according to how he probably envisioned it."I pinched hit, and I struck out," Bixler said while laughing. "But it was still really rewarding to share that moment with my family and my wife."Bixler, who played both infield and outfield positions, appeared in 183 major league games over four seasons with three teams: the Pirates, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros. He also played for minor league affiliates of the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.One of Bixler's best highlights came later on in 2008, when one of baseball's best players, who smacked 630 home runs, seventh-most all time, showed some appreciation toward him."I hit a single against the Cincinnati Reds, and, when I was playing shortstop the next inning, Ken Griffey Jr. gets on second base," Bixler said. "He gave me a pat on the behind and said 'congratulations.' I watched him growing up, so that was an awesome moment for me."Bixler himself launched two home runs in big league uniforms, both instances with Houston."My first one was so close to the foul line, and I was hoping it would stay fair, and it did," said Bixler, who clubbed it against Jonathan Sanchez when he pitched for the Kansas City Royals. "I actually got the ball back. It's with the ball from my first hit."Brian Bixler, a 2001 Perkins High School graduate, played in 183 Major League Baseball games. He made his debut in 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.Switching careersBixler's professional baseball career ended in 2014 after a subpar season with a couple of minor league teams in the San Diego Padres' farm system.Despite achieving his boyhood dream, at 31 years old, Bixler needed to find a new calling in life."When I was done playing ball, I wanted to get my finance degree, and I began to finish that," Bixler said. "Once I got my degree, I started looking for jobs in the area. My wife and I are both from here, and we have family here. I threw my name out there, and I got an interview with (job and family services) to start in child support."Bixler then paused for a moment before wanting to emphasize a point he hopes all young athletes aspiring to play professionally can understand."School is important," Bixler said. "You have to do well in school if you want to participate in sports. Being a good student and being a good person in school to teachers helped me be a good teammate and helped me use my mind to learn things in the game."Bixler enjoys helping people and families on a day-in, day-out basis to make their lives a little smoother during trying times. In fact, he doesn't want to become a free agent and work elsewhere. He's quite happy working for job and family services."This is where I want to be, and I would appreciate the opportunity to keep moving up here," Bixler said.And his current manager shares a mutual feeling.Among Bixler's best attributes, as explained by Balconi Ghezzi, is his "team-first approach" to solving problems and delivering solutions so county residents can rely on the agency."Brian brings, to his position here, the kind of dedication and commitment he exhibited in his years as a professional athlete," Balconi Ghezzi said. "He's a hometown hero who is definitely committed to Erie County."By the numbers: Brian Bixler's career Major League Baseball statistics• 183: games played• 323: at-bats• .189: batting average• 61: hits• 14: runs batted in• 9: stolen bases• 2: home runsSource: baseball-reference.comReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.