COLE EICHNER

Hometown: Stony Brook, NY
School: Ward Melville High School
Position: Left Field

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For Cole Eichner, baseball has been a 12-year journey, one that has taken him from the local fields of Long Island to the international experience of the JCC Maccabi Games. Representing Stony Brook, NY, and Ward Melville High School, Cole has developed into a dependable outfielder who takes pride in doing his part for his team while embracing everything the game has given him along the way.

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Cole competed in the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games, an experience that gave him a memory that will be difficult to top: winning the gold medal. But while the medal was certainly the highlight on the field, Cole discovered that Maccabi was about much more than the games themselves. “It grew many new relationships with Jews from all across the world and gave me insight to many different cultures,” he says. The friendships and connections he made became just as meaningful as the championship itself.

Representing his Jewish identity made the experience even more special. “It meant a lot. It felt good to be around thousands of Jews as there are not many where I live,” Cole explains. “I was able to compete while still having a connection with people through being Jewish.” For Cole, Maccabi provided something unique—the opportunity to compete at a high level while being surrounded by thousands of people who shared an important part of his identity.

 

Cole has been playing baseball for 12 years and has suited up for a number of organizations, including the Three Village Patriots, Ward Melville Baseball, Tri-State Arsenal, Phenom New York, and the Nesconset Panthers. His primary position is left field, where he embraces the responsibility that comes with playing the position. “I love being sort of the last line of defense and taking part of relays to catch runners on big hits.” It’s a role that requires awareness, communication, and the ability to stay ready for the moment when the ball comes your way.

His biggest influence in baseball has been his dad, who not only taught Cole how to play the game but helped him develop the love for baseball that has kept him on the field for more than a decade. That influence has helped shape Cole both as a player and as a person.

 

Looking ahead, Cole is keeping his baseball future open. He expects that he will likely stop playing after high school, although he may pursue an opportunity to continue playing in college. Academically, his next chapter will begin in the fall of 2027, when he plans to attend college and begin pursuing his future beyond baseball.

Cole’s baseball inspiration is Carson Benge, while his own story has a fun twist that might surprise his teammates: he was born on New Year’s Eve. So while most people are busy counting down to midnight on December 31, Cole has another reason to celebrate.

Cole Eichner’s Maccabi journey will always be defined by that gold medal, but perhaps even more by the people and experiences that came with it. He competed alongside athletes from across the world, formed new relationships, celebrated his Jewish identity, and helped bring home a championship. His baseball career may eventually take him in a different direction, but the memories and friendships created through Maccabi will last far beyond his final game.