Baseball Dreams Bring Jason Dicochea Back to Ottawa

By: Frankie Benvenuti

When you dedicate your life to playing baseball, you have to be ready for anything, a reality Ottawa Titans’ infielder Jason Dicochea embraced over the offseason. 

In 2023, the Redondo Beach, California native had a big season for the Titans, leading the way in home runs, doubles, and triples, while finishing in the top five in numerous other important statistical categories. The success caught the attention of clubs in Mexico, and before long, Dicochea inked a deal to head south. 

As the offseason continued, Dicochea’s Mexican future grew murky, and as the waters muddied, he turned his attention elsewhere, remembering a conversation he had with Titans’ Manager Bobby Brown at the end of last season. 

“They had some trouble with ownership and their front office,” Dicochea said. “Some things went down, so I called Bobby because he told me he would always have a job for me if something happened. It wasn’t like I wasn’t training or thinking about retirement, I was working hard every day.” 

In the past two years, Ottawa has become something of a second home for Dicochea, which has helped take away some of the sting he felt when things broke down. While the Mexico move represented a step forward for his career, Dicochea believes that any opportunity to play baseball professionally is a good one, and he knows that there are people who wish they could be in his shoes today. 

“You always know that those things can happen, this isn’t your corporate nine-to-five job where you can trust that you can chase your career with steady pay,” Dicochea said. “Anything can happen. I go about my business the same way, and I don’t put too much pressure on myself if I’m playing in America or Mexico. If I get picked up, I know what I have to do.” 

Though a move up the baseball ladder didn’t present itself over the winter, Dicochea understands that there is a chance to better himself, and become one of the most feared players in the Frontier League. 

This time last season, his malleability was tested, being asked to throw on the catcher's gear, and hit the ground running. The experiment didn’t end up working out, but now that he is back in the spots he is used to, Dicochea expects a greater level of comfort when the first pitch flies. 

“It’s nice in terms of confidence, and my mental state, with how I’m showing up to the field every day,” Dicochea said. “When you’re catching, you have to go about your routine a little differently, so it’s nice to just play positions I’m comfortable with, and that I have played in the past. I can focus on hitting, and getting to know the new guys.” 

Still armed with his dreams of one day getting into affiliated ball, and the major leagues, Dicochea is looking at a brand new, unprecedented option. 

Drafted by the Karachi Monarchs in the eighth round, Dicochea is hoping to chase a successful season in Ottawa with a stint in Pakistan, competing in Baseball United, which consists of four teams, two from the United Arab Emirates, and one from India, on top of the Monarchs. 

“I’ve learned in this business that if you get your hopes up, anything can happen,” Dicochea said. “I’m more excited about this season [in Ottawa] and staying healthy. I want to have the best season that I can, and then I’ll worry about that once I’m on Middle Eastern soil.”