Based on Tracker season 2, episode 3, "Bloodlines," Justin Hartley is a man of many talents, one of them apparently being baseball. Hartley executive produces and stars as Colter Shaw in the action drama TV series, created by Ben H. Winters and adapted from Jeffery Deaver's 2019 book The Never Game. CBS's hit show Tracker revolves around Colter, a survivalist and expert tracker (as the show's title suggests). The protagonist utilizes his impressive set of skills to aid law enforcement and private citizens across the country in exchange for reward money.
Colter's job requires him to wear many hats as finding people, animals, and other things isn't exactly easy, and Hartley's character has to be adaptable. By the end of Tracker season 1, it was clear to viewers that Colter was quite talented. However, he continues to surprise the audience in season 2. In particular, fans learn in Tracker season 2, episode 3, that Colter is pretty good at baseball, making many wonder if Hartley plays baseball in real life.
Justin Hartley Played Baseball In High School Along With Other Sports
Colter's Story In Tracker Pulls From Hartley's Life
Justin Hartley's Colter helps Billie with a case in Tracker season 2, episode 3, involving a missing high school baseball pitcher, Eric Dobbs. Ultimately, (spoiler alert) they save the teenager. At the end of the hour, Colter joins Eric and his father in a game of catch and impresses them with his strong throwing arm. When asked about his experience with baseball, Colter reveals that he wanted to play when he was younger, but his dad wouldn't let him. However, in real life, Hartley played and (as the Tracker episode suggests) was pretty good.
According to Justin Hartley's official website, the actor played many sports in high school, including baseball, basketball, and soccer. An injury reportedly caused him to rethink his future, which resulted in him pursuing an acting career. After graduating from Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois (a Chicago suburb), Hartley studied history and theater at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Justin Hartley & His Wife Like To Take Road Trips To Baseball Parks
Hartley Is Married To Sofia Pernas
Tracker Season 2 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene |
Jensen Ackles | Russell Shaw |
Floriana Lima | Camille Picket |
Sofia Pernas | Billie Matalon |
Despite leaving (playing) baseball behind in high school, Tracker season 2 star Justin Hartley didn't ignore the sport altogether. Instead, Hartley's love for baseball continues in the present day. While speaking with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on Live with Kelly and Mark in October 2024, Hartley explained how he and his wife, Sofia Pernas (who plays Billie Matalon in Tracker), often go on road trips to MLB parks.
Although the road trip might not be initially planned to go to a baseball field, Hartley and Pernas try to find parks along the way that they have never been to before. Together, they have been to Citi Field (New York Mets), Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox), Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers), Truist Park (Atlanta Braves), Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs), and more. So, perhaps Hartley was the one who convinced the Tracker writers to incorporate baseball into season 2, episode 3.
Sources: Justin Hartley's official website, Live with Kelly and Mark
