Sam Crater was a member of the 2004 Susquehanna River Raiders (PA), who clinched the week 9 title. Sam left his mark at Cooperstown Dreams Park – his name is tagged to two 12 and under records: Most strikeouts in a game by both teams (26 strikeouts: Justin Maffel, Foster City Splinter Cell (CA), 15 strikeouts and Sam Crater, Susquehanna River Raiders (PA), 11 strikeouts, 8/16/04) and Earned runs allowed (0 ERA).

In 2010, he graduated from Northern York High School (Dillsburg, PA). While at Northern York, Sam was a four-year member of the varsity baseball team. According to local reports, Sam had a successful four years which included a pair of Mid-Penn Colonial Division Most Valuable Player awards and a two-time selection of the Patriot-News 2010 baseball all-star team. At the end of his high school career, Sam posted a .404 batting average and 20-5 career pitching record with a 2.71 ERA over nearly 157 innings. Sam finished nine strikeouts shy of 200.

As a junior, Sam helped his team clinch the Mid Penn Conference and Mid Penn Colonial Division. He was also the team's MVP.

During his senior year, Sam hit .493 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 35 runs. On the mound he went 7-3 over 62 innings, producing 71 strikeouts and 2.71 ERA. The team clinched a consecutive conference title.

Sam continued his baseball career at the collegiate level, first at Harford Community College (Bel Air, MD) in 2011 and then Frederick Community College (Frederick, MD) in 2012.