Jakub Janda talked with Josh Rickards of the German Baseball-Bundesliga club Solingen Alligators for Mister-Baseball.
Josh Rickards
- Born in Upland, Pennsylvania
- 23 years old
- Left-handed pitcher
- Attended Marist College in New York between 2006 and 2009
- Playing for Solingen Alligators since 2010
Jakub Janda: Please describe your career since you started playing baseball to the present.
Josh Rickards: Well I started off playing a number of sports growing up such as basketball, soccer, football, and baseball, but as I got older the talent level increased along with time dedicated toward sports. Baseball was the one game I evolved best with growing up and throughout the years of playing I was always able to handle the transition to the next level even to present day.
JJ: How were you preparing for this season during winter? Did you change anything from previous offseasons?
JR: Winter was a bit tough in regards to preparation. I have been accustomed to working out with a team. This year it was much more individualistic seeing as I was not even going to be meeting my team until March 5th. Fortunately I had my old college pitching workouts to help get me where I needed to be for the start of the season.
JJ: What do you consider your career highlight?
JR: I’d have to say my career highlight would have to be starting against Florida State in the 2009 NCAA Regionals. It was a televised game on ESPNU and was a great way to end my college career.
JJ: What has baseball taken from you and what has the game given to you?
JR: While playing baseball I have devoted time and effort year round growing up, trying to hone my skills to better prepare myself for the following game or season. I wouldn’t call it wasted time because I am the one who chose to use it for this purpose. Sure it would have been fun to maybe hang out with friends and family a little but more, but baseball is what I wanted to do. Baseball has given me so much throughout my life. It gave me a college education, a chance to meet new people who have the same passion for the sport, and opportunities to travel places I never thought I would ever see. So I think sacrificing the time I did growing up was a fair trade off to say the least.
JJ: How do you like your own performance this season?
JR: I was pleased with my performance, but there is still room for improvement. I look forward to working on these weaknesses during the offseason to better myself for the 2011 season, whether it is with the Alligators or another team in Europe.
JJ: What do you think about your club in this season? Have you fulfilled expectations?
JR: I really couldn’t have asked to be put on a better team this season. The team chemistry we share amongst ourselves is second to none. The Alligators organization is very passionate about baseball and us as player appreciate that and feed off of it. I know going into the season I had some big shoes to fill with Enorbel Marquez leaving. Luckily right off the bat I had the support of my teammates and coach, this really gave me the opportunity to pitch my game and give my team a chance to win every outing. I like to think I fulfilled my role for the club, but like I said before, there is room for improvement.
JJ: How many times in your career have you thought about quitting baseball?
JR: There was one time I truly thought about quitting and that was about two weeks after going undrafted and not signing as a free agent after the draft. I always told myself if I didn’t sign then I was going to hang up the cleats. Luckily the coach of a men’s team in my area, the Collingdale Colts, called me and asked if I wanted to pitch for his team. At first I was hesitant, but finally agreed and have been back at it ever since.
JJ: Do you have any special practice or game routine?
JR: My routine is about 40 minutes long prior to game time. First stretching, then extended throwing, followed by my bullpen. In regards to throwing, I’m not an avid fan of having a certain amount of throws to get myself loose. I just throw till I feel comfortable
JJ: Where do you see your own key for succeeding on the European level?
JR: The key to my success at the European level is the same key I have used throughout my whole baseball career. Stay calm, cool, and collected. Baseball is an imperfect game meaning you could do everything right one day and lose or you could do everything wrong and win. You cannot get upset because things are going wrong. Doing this can take you out of the whole at bat, inning or even game. The more calm, cool, and collected you are, the better your odds are for bouncing back from one of the many baseball imperfections that a player must handle throughout a game.
JJ: Any funny story connected with baseball?
JR: Some of the funniest stories I have of baseball are simply listening bullpen conversations. Those bullpen guys have way too much time on their hands down there. It’s no wonder why coaches don’t want them anywhere near the dugout.
JJ: If you could advise young players reading this interview, what would you address them?
JR: All I can say is never give up and if you seriously want to get better at baseball, you need to devote the time and effort to do so. Baseball is a game of repetition, the more you play, the more you practice, the better your odds are. Also treat your teammates with respect. People are going to make errors or not come through in a situation, that’s baseball. The teams that win are the teams that pull together and support one another.
JJ: Your future plans on the field?
JR: Right now I am almost certain I will be playing baseball in Europe come 2011. In regards to where, I am uncertain. If the possibility arose to play on another team in Germany or the potential of another team in a different league if they are interested I would defiantly consider this option, but I certainly would not mind coming back to the Alligators for another season as well. We will just have to wait and see.
Thank you for your time.
Jakub Janda
Jandis(at)volny.cz
Photos: Solingen Alligators (top right), Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de (bottom left)
