In the Dugout with Matt Angle – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2006
Matt Angle, a sophomore outfielder from Whitehall, Ohio, chose baseball when he was a kid and has played it most of his life. Although he was very talented in other sports, including football and basketball, his first love is baseball. Baseball is the game that his grandfather taught him and the game that he has played ever since he could hold a bat. The only thing that has meant more to him then the game of baseball has been his family. His mother has always been there for him, supporting him and picking him up when he was down. She traveled with him to every game when he was a kid and when it came time for Angle to choose a college, the two biggest factors in his mind were the man that put the bat in his hand and the woman who kept it in his hands.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
“In high school I played football and basketball. I was pretty good on the football team I was ok on the basketball team. I would say that I like football the most next to baseball.”
Since you were good at so many sports what made you choose baseball?
“Well my grandpa started me off really young. As soon as I could hold a bat he was throwing me soft tosses in the backyard. It has been a big part of my life for the last 18-20 years.”
What made you choose Ohio State?
“The atmosphere here is great. I am from Columbus. My grandpa graduated from Ohio State. The atmosphere around here was big as well.”
What is the best part of playing at Ohio State?
“There are not too many places in the Midwest where you can come and you get 3,000- 4,000 fans out every game. The fans and the facilities, are all great. When I came to Ohio State on my visit I knew that this was the place for me. I committed the night of my visit.”
What are your thoughts on playing at Bill Davis Stadium?
“It is amazing. I love that fact that I get the chance to go out and play on it everyday. It is the best place to play when the stands are filled and fans are screaming. It makes you feel good coming to the ballpark knowing that you are going to have fans like that out there for you.” What is it like playing for Bob Todd?
“Coach has been good. He has taught me a lot. He does a lot to make sure that we are mentally prepared. He makes sure that we are ready to take the game from the mental aspect. He makes sure we are ready to play the game right, play the game hard, play the game the way it is meant to be played. It has been fun playing for him. He demands perfection and expects nothing less.”
With you grandfather being a graduate of Ohio State, did that play a big role in your choice to come to Ohio State?
“My grandfather started me off young but it has really been my mom and my uncle that helped me stay with the game. My uncle and my mom have had a real major part of my life. They have been traveling around with me ever since I was a kid playing travel baseball. I played travel baseball growing up and they have gone everywhere with me. They have had the biggest impact on my choice of schools.”
What did they tell you when it came time to pick a college?
“They wanted me to go to a place where I felt comfortable. They knew that Ohio State had a great baseball tradition and they left the decision up to me.”
