Q&A with Brett Hatcher – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Throwing strikes has been a part of Ohio State senior Brett Hatcher’s life since he was a toddler. One may make the assumption that the Buckeye baseball player would have thrown his first strike while on the pitching mound in Little League, but for Hatcher, his first strikes rolled down the lanes of his family-owned bowling alley in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
The bowling alley as been in the family for generations and before Hatcher even tried on a baseball glove or swung a bat, he was dealing with 7-10 splits. However, it did not take Hatcher long to make the switch from bowling pins to baseball spikes as he first stepped on the diamond at age 5.
Until this season, Hatcher concentrated solely on pitching strikes down the center of the plate, but as a veteran of the Buckeye squad, the junior has converted to the batter’s box, where his main goal is to turn incoming strikes into base hits as a valuable contributor as one of several players Ohio State uses as a designated or pinch hitter.
Your family owns a bowling alley. How long has it been in the family and what was it like growing up around that atmosphere?
“The alley has been in the family since my grandfather owned it. Then my uncle had it and now my father has taken it over. My family has run it for the last 20 years or so.”
So, what did you accomplish first? Roll a strike in bowling or throw a strike in baseball?
“Well, when I was younger I bowled all the time, but I have also played baseball since I could walk. I enjoy bowling, but I got more into baseball during my junior high years. I probably enjoy bowling more now than I did when I was a kid.”
What is your bowling average?
“I would not say that I have an average, but I would say, more often than not, I will go out a bowl a 200 or so.”
How talented is your family when it comes to bowling?
“My dad has bowled in some big tournaments. He has never bowled a 300, but he once bowled a 299. My mom once bowled a 297 and has been up in the low 290’s a couple times. My uncle is on the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) senior tour. He has 10 or so 300 games in his life. It is safe to say the sport definitely runs in the family.” Personally, is bowling more a hobby for you?
“Yes, I enjoy going out and bowling with my friends. Lately, I would say the last two years, we have gone bowling quite frequently. It is always a good time and a way to let off steam. It is competitive, but on a different level than baseball, which makes it fun.”
Both your sisters have played collegiate athletics, but were they good bowlers as well?
“My sisters are good at bowling, but they really don’t do it that much. They are great athletes, though. My older sister was an All-American softball player at the University of Dayton and my younger sister plays volleyball at Cleveland State. She was the freshman of the year in her conference. So, athleticism really runs throughout our family.”
How has your older sister helped you succeed as a student-athlete?
“She set the precedence for myself and my younger sister. Dayton was a more liberal school and she got through it and went into business. She has always been the good student-athlete and has always succeeded in what she has done. She was on of the best players on the team all four years she was at Dayton. As a freshman, she pitched about 95 percent of the games for Dayton. Her success has helped to set a great example for myself and my sister.”
Does your younger sister enjoy life as a student-athlete at the Division I level?
“She loves it. She had great success this season before being sidelined the last couple games with an injury. But, she did real well. Especially being named conference freshman of the year. That is special.”
Talk about your switch from the pitching mound to the batter’s box this season?
“Actually, we had a pitchers’ batting practice one day and I knocked a few out of the park. In summer ball, I played the outfield for the Delaware (Ohio) Cows. I started one of the games as an outfielder and went 2-for-3 and ever since, I have made the move from pitcher to hitter. I played more than half the games in the summer in the outfield and played well. I came back in the fall looking to play at DH and in the outfield. I have started a couple games at DH and have a couple hits, but I know my days as a pitcher are not completely done. When we have four games in a weekend, the time will come when I’ll need to do both, which is ideally what I would like to do.”
Explain how the approach to the game differs as a designated hitter?
“Designated hitter is a tough position because you have one at bat every couple innings. I compare it to a kicker in football. You are removed from the game and then you have one shot to take advantage of your situation and if you fail, you don’t get the chance to make it up in the field. So, you have to try to keep focus as best you can in the dugout on trying to get your job done. From that aspect, it is tougher. As a position player, you know you are a contributor in the field as well. As a DH, you can contribute in the dugout, but it is not the same.”
Is it a somewhat bittersweet feeling stepping off the mound and assuming a relatively new role primarily as a hitter?
“I love being a day-to-day player. It is so much more exciting knowing that when you go to the park everyday you will contribute that game. As a pitcher, there are only a handful of guys who go to the games knowing they have a shot at going out there every game. It is a great feeling to be back in a position where you know you have an opportunity to contribute and play everyday. I love it.
“I also look forward to the time when I will get to pitch this season and take the role as an all-around athlete that I am capable of being.”
Which would you rather do – pitch or play the field and hit?
“I would have to say I would rather pitch. I came to Ohio State as pitcher and it has been the position I have invested the most time, but at the same time I love hitting, playing everyday, getting dirty and making plays in the field on a daily basis. That is the best part of this game. Overall, I would still have to say pitching because that is what I have concentrated on since I was younger.”
Your versatility must serve as an asset to the team?
“Knowing that I can play numerous positions helps me immensely. I get looks in the outfield, first base, DH and as a pitcher. Any way you can help the team is a great thing and the ability to do that in many ways is a great feeling.”
What did you work on most with the Delaware Cows and explain how the experience went?
“I focused more on hitting with the Cows. I did have a great pitching coach and I pitched my allotted time, but I focused more on hitting knowing that when I came in the fall, I would have my best shot at playing as a hitter. I worked at as many positions as possible to help the team.”
What was it like playing for a team named the Cows?
“The jersey was blue with a ‘D’ for Delaware and a cow coming out of the ‘D’. They had bobble-head cows and different promotions like that. It was funny. They have a great organization. We ended up having a great season and wound up in the championship game.”
