The Baseball Observer May 2015 vol 3 | Page 33

Q: What does your typical “non-game day” look like for you? (sun up to sun down -like when you get up/ workouts/ classes practice/ study time & study tables/ etc). A: I have all of my classes set up in the morning so I usually have class from about 9am till noon then I have a couple hours to eat and go see the trainers before practice starts. I get to the field at about 2 pm and I am there till about 6pm or so. We have weights after that a couple times a week. Then I go home and make dinner and do whatever homework I have for an hour or two then it is about bed time. Q: How do the off season workouts differ from high school to college? A: They are definitely more of a grind. They challenge you more physically for sure. Much more weight lifting but the seasons are also much more fun so it all makes it worth it in the end. Q: Every program has a “Hell Week”. Tell me about Mesa's A: Our Hell week was not too bad. It was right when we got back from winter break. We had to get up early to do some sprint work and base running, then we would head to the weight room for circuits which were the worst part. After that we would head out to the turf field to do a quick cleanse and stretch. We then would head home for an hour or two for lunch and rest before we had to go out to the field and practice for a few hours and scrimmage till the end of the day. It was one and a half weeks I think. Q: You’re there to play baseball, but first is the education. How does the baseball program support your education? A: The baseball program is very supportive of our education. They are very involved and willing to help or get you help if you need it. They are very lenient when it comes to missing practice when you have classes or a test to take etc... Q: With all the games baseball play during a season, you miss classes. How do you stay "on top" of that? A: Most teachers are very cool about missing class for games and are willing to work around your schedule so as long as you get stuff done in a timely fashion it has never been a problem really. Q: Are your grades better in high school or college? A: They are relatively the same. High school was definitely a little easier and college takes some more effort but it’s nothing ridiculous. As long as you get stuff in it’s not a huge leap from one to the other. Q: What overall advice would you pass on to an incoming Freshman baseball player? A: Just love it. Be willing to work hard and listen to what your coaches and upper classmen have to say because they know what they are talking about most of the time. Be very open and coachable and you should be just fine. Most of all, HAVE FUN! That is the most important thing.