Bielski went to Harford Junior College to get some exposure. Harford qualified for the Junior College World Series, but at the time, Bielski said, the school had a rule that the team couldn't travel more than 200 miles from campus.
"So we didn't get to play, and the team, mostly freshman, all transferred after that season," he said.
Bielski then enrolled at Miami Dade North , a prominent junior college that Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers and Steve Carlton attended.
Bielski made such an impression that he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the January 1986 draft for junior college players and then, after not signing, by the New York Yankees in the regular June draft. He also received five college scholarship offers and chose to take a full-ride to the University of Georgia, where he got to play in the 1987 College World Series. .
Bielski got his degree in math education and found his way back to Florida.
"I kind of followed in my dad's footsteps," said Bielski, who is in his 23rd year of teaching honors geometry and algebra at Hialeah. "He's always been my inspiration. He taught me about baseball and life. I still hear his voice."
Of course, he also hears that voice because his parents come to Florida for three months during the baseball season and attend about 90 percent of his team's games.
"It's always nice to look over and see my dad," said Bielski, who is spending eight weeks this summer coaching the State Champs Baseball Camp at Archbishop McCarthy. "He knows all the players and follows them even in the minor leagues. I can't wait for him to come every year — even though he loves telling his grandchildren embarrassing stories about me."
