and spot their pitches. They throw strikes
and have control. You cannot figure they
are going to walk you. Plus they have
command of 3 or more pitches. The
facilities are better too.
Q: What does your typical “non-game
day” look like for you?
A: Lifting or conditioning 6AM – 7:30AM.
Then classes from around 10AM – 1PM.
Off for a couple hours then practice from
4PM – 7PM. Then homework or extra
time working on my game. There are also
study tables.
Q: Were there any adjustments you
had to make once you started playing
college baseball?
A: My mental approach. After I graduated
from High School I read several books on
the mental game of baseball. You realize
once you get to the college level everyone
is as good and as athletic as you - they
have the same tools. You need to ask
yourself “How do I separate myself since
all these guys can do what I can do.” And
that comes from being mentally prepared
and locked in during every practice, pitch,
inning, and game.
Q: What about “Hell Week?”
A: Yeah it was tough and it went for two
straight weeks. Up and at the track or
field by 5AM. Five days straight – two
days off – then another five days straight.
Warm ups, ladders, tire workouts etc. but
the worse was the hill running. That
would take the life out of you. Someone
threw up about every day. Then we
would have practice later in the day. It
was all for mental toughness. Learning to
work through the physical and realizing
you can actually go further. It was also
about team building. You could look at
your teammates and say “I went through
this with these guys.” Everyone helped
each other out to get through it. Built
team chemistry.
Q: You’re there to play baseball, but
first is the education. You mentioned
“Study Tables” earlier.
A: If you don’t have the grades – you
don’t play. Everyone has study tables no
matter what your GPA. They are 2 1/2hrs
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s.
It’s a good way to get your homework
done.
Q: Are your grades better in college or
in high school?
A: My grades are the same. But high
school was easier.
Q: How important is time
management?
A: I already had it down (thanks to my
mom!). But there is a lot to do in college
and a lot of potential distractions. It’s up to
you in college. You can choose not to do
your homework or go to class. You can
choose to do nothing – but there are
consequences for that. Managing your
time and prioritizing is essential to
becoming a successful college athlete.
Q: What overall advice would you pass
on to an incoming Freshman baseball
player?
A: I would say
the same thing
to a player who
was draft
eligible or a
player who
knew that after
college wasn’t
going to keep
playing. I
would tell them
to make sure
they are
always doing things that others are not
willing to do. What I mean is there is
always time to put extra work in – so do it.
The reason you are brought in to that
school (especially if you are on any size
scholarship) is to win championships for
that program. They made a commitment to
you so make sure that you do everything
you can to return that commitment and
more. Treat every day as if you are the
backup. Never be content with where you
are. “Don’t strive to be great, strive to be
the best.”