Justin Gottardi was caught by surprise when his father gave him the choice to move to Arizona, Texas or Montana after his sophomore year of high school.

The Gilbert High senior has no regrets choosing the Grand Canyon State.

Gottardi was born in Union City, California, where he first stepped foot on a baseball field at the age of 4. Following three years of Little League, he played for over 10 different traveling club teams.

As Gottardi was traveling all over the United States to compete against different clubs, he was given the opportunity to play in the California Stars and Stripes Tournament when he was 11. He also played in the Cooperstown World Series when he was only 12 years old.

“I had 11 home runs in eight games.” Gottardi said.

By the time he was 16, he had played in 304 events.

When it was time for Gottardi to take his skills with him at a higher level, opted for James Logan High School and was introduced to the catcher position.

“Sophomore year I got moved up to varsity and played as a second baseman,” Gottardi said. “The catcher got hurt and that’s when I started my catching career.”

Gottardi and his family moved to Gilbert after his sophomore year because of his father’s company changing location. Gottardi had his own reasons for choosing Arizona.

“One of my dreams is to actually go to Arizona State University,” Gottardi said. “That’s something that I’ve always talked about.”

Gottardi initially wanted to play as an outfielder for the Gilbert Tigers, but history repeated itself at the catcher position.

“Jose Bolivar got hurt last year and Gottardi stepped in and did a phenomenal job,” said catching coach Alex Brown. “We saw what he could do.”

Since then, Gottardi has excelled as a catcher for the Gilbert Tigers and will continue playing at Paradise Valley Community College after he graduates.

Not only does the California native like to spend most of his time on the baseball field, you can also catch him in his garage working on vehicles.

“When I was 12 years old my dad told me if I wanted to drive I would have to build my own car, and that I did,” Gottardi said. “I built a 1962 Ford Ranchero.”

Gottardi’s love for cars has stuck with him ever since. He’s built a 1965 Mustang, 1929 Ford Model A and some Chevrolet Chevelles.

While his coaches trust him in the catcher’s box, they also trust him with their cars. Gottardi has a clientele with the coaches on the team. It's almost like he’s the team mechanic.

Gottardi also works on a Snap-on truck part-time.

Working on vehicles and building them have brought Gottardi the interest in pursuing a degree in mechanical electrical engineering after he graduates in May 2019.

“There’s nothing the kid can’t do,” said Brown.