FIU color blind baseball coach’s players say it’s only occasionally an issue

Years ago, when Brian Jeroloman was a minor-league catcher, he once came to the ballpark wearing a black shoe on one foot and a brown one on the other.

This was not a fashion choice.

Jeroloman – who is now an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for FIU’s baseball team – is color blind.

In May and June, by coincidence, Jeroloman and head coach Rich Witten signed two color-blind players from Iowa – outfielder/reliever Boston Doeschot first and then catcher Caden Sammler.

About eight percent of American men have some form of color blindness. For women, it’s less than one percent.

Being color blind is an issue in getting dressed, but Jeroloman, Doeschot and Sammler all agree that it’s not a problem on a baseball field.

“I can see colors, but I can’t distinguish between them sometimes,” Jeroloman said. “Orange, yellow and red are tough for me, for instance.

“I usually stick to jeans or black pants and white shirts – neutral colors.”

Driving can be an issue for people who are color blind. Sammler said he can figure out a stoplight without seeing the individual colors because he knows red is at the top, yellow in the middle and green at the bottom.

“It’s something I have to focus on,” said Sammler, who is majoring in Supply Chain Management. “There have been a couple of times where I have unintentionally run a red light, but it was at night, and there was nobody around. I have to focus more at night.”

Doeschot and Sammler didn’t know each other growing up as they are from different cities in Iowa. Doeschot is from Kingsley, and Sammler is a Waukee native.

The two Iowans actually met in the. 2024-2025 season while playing for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa City, Iowa.

Jeroloman, a former New York Yankees scout, found Doeschot and Sammler in his own methodical way. Basically, Jeroloman asked every junior-college coach in Iowa to name the top-five players they competed against in 2025.

One name that was mentioned repeatedly was Doeschot, who was named first-team All-American last year. In 56 games, he hit .401 with 17 doubles, two triples, 22 homers, 80 RBIs and a 1.368 OPS. He also pitched to a 3.18 ERA, striking out 35 batters in 22 2/3 innings.

“I asked the guys I know in Iowa if they had any ‘monsters’, and Boston was either one, two or three on everybody’s list,” Jeroloman said.

Jeroloman then watched video to make sure that Doeschot’s homers weren’t coming mostly against sub-standard velocity.

When it turned out that Doeschot’s power was legit, he got the offer and committed to FIU, where he’s majoring in Sports and Recreation.

“I liked FIU’s coaches and their plan for me,” Doeschot said. “And I liked the warmer weather where I can train year-round.”

Doeschot hit well this fall but didn’t pitch due to shoulder tightness.

“I hurt my shoulder last year,” said Doeschot, who throws a fastball 90-to-94 mph and also a slider at 80 mph. “My goal is to pitch this season. I’m getting closer, but I’m not there yet.”

As for Sammler, Jeroloman found him while looking at video of Doeschot. FIU had been scouting another catcher, but when that player didn’t immediately say yes, the Panthers turned to Sammler.

Jeroloman is thrilled with what he’s seen from Sammler, who last year hit .389 with 10 homers and 53 RBIs in 56 games. He also posted a 1.182 OPS.

Defensively, Sammler needed to improve his hip flexibility.

“I told Caden when he got here that he was going to be sore every day,” Jeroloman said. “It’s not that he has a lack of athleticism. It’s just knowing how to stretch your hips. He is now a plus receiver who has made tremendous improvement.

“Offensively, Caden is not going to hit 20 homers … maybe about five. But he has good bat-to-ball skills.”

It remains to be seen how much Doeschot and Sammler will play this season.

Doeschot, who hits lefty and throws righty, will battle Hector Candelas; Luca Reyes and Trey Freeman for two spots: DH and either right or left field. Sammler will compete with fellow catchers March Hersh and Aris Rivera.

Kirk Clark, who coached Doeschot and Sammler at Ellsworth, said he expects both players will be successful at FIU.

“Boston will give them a power bat,” said Clark, who – by the way – is also color blind. “Caden can hit, and he’s also a leader of men.”