In The Dugout – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 14, 2002
The transition to from high school to college is not easy. Students look for support from friends, co-workers and teachers. Sophomore Josh Newman did not have to look any further than his own family. Newman is from Wheelersburg, Ohio.
“It is only two hours away, so my whole family can come up and watch and read about the away games in the local papers,” Newman said. “My aunts and uncles, my brothers and sister, my grandparents and my father and mother have been so supportive, I am very grateful they all can see me play.”
The majority of college students pick what sporting events they want to see and then purchase tickets. For Newman, he had to decide what college sport he wanted to play in college.
“I played football and baseball all four years in high school. I played linebacker for Wheelersburg and was all-state first team twice in my four years. In baseball, I was all-state first team three years,” Newman said.
“My senior year our football team was No. 1 in the state for our division. At the end of the season, I was recruited by some MAC schools to play football, but in the end I decided to stick with baseball. My grandpa always said it would be easier to pitch to a 245-pound guy than to tackle him. I am a better fit for baseball physically and that played a factor in my decision.”
This is Newman’s second season with the Buckeyes. Newman has started nine games this season for OSU and he has tallied a 7-4 record including four complete games. His ERA is 3.44 and he has fanned 50 batters so far this season.
“The biggest improvement I needed to make in my game heading into this season was to gain some consistency,” Newman said. “I felt like I was too up and down last year. I am still learning how to be a better pitcher everyday. I’ve been able to keep my walks down compared to last season, so that has helped a lot.”
Baseball may only be played in the spring but it is a 12-month sport. Players have conditioning year round and it is their job to stay healthy during the off season. Therefore, baseball players have very little time to relax or be social.
“I have made a lot of friends on the team. Ohio State has a good ball club and academic program without question, but the friends I made have made me certain I picked the right school,” Newman said. “During my free time I like to hang out with my friends. This summer I am playing summer ball in Cape Cod with a couple of other guys that are on the team, so I am looking forward to that.”
Every player on the team picks their own music to be played when they enter the game. Josh comes out to John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Ain’t that America.”
“It just seemed fitting. With the whole September 11th incident, I could not think of a better song to get me revved up,” Newman said. “However, I am a big fan of country. I am from the country and have grown up listening to it my whole life. I like Travis Tritt a lot and I have been able to see Kenny Chesney live. I’m looking forward to catching other tours this summer.
“All in all, I like it a lot here at Ohio State. I have to thank my friends and family for all of their support. College has been much easier knowing they are right behind me.”
