Well I am looking to become a sports journalist but my skills are very raw but my ability earned me a very nice internship this summer. I will not always write on conventional matters but I hope the articles are educational and entertaining.
Florida State University is Quickly Becoming Center Fielder "U"
By Erik Johnson
Although college baseball is not a sport that is followed by many, it may be one of the more entertaining athletic events there is. The College World Series is one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events in the world of sports, and although Florida State is arguably the most prestigious college baseball program in the country, they have yet to taste the bittersweetness of the College World Series.
Florida States program has the most wins in division one history and has produced numerous Major League Stars. The quickly growing, spot light, position at Florida State is Center Field. JD Drew and Shane Robinson were both All-Americans but there is one that has caught my eyes recently, who may not have the resume as Drew and Robinson but has the talent to be every bit as good. Although he has gone through more ups and downs then the Alps this young gun has a chance to be special.
Ruairi O'Connor was just 5 years old when he knew that he wanted to attend Florida State University, and at that time his dreams were to play baseball and Quarterback for the Seminoles. Well as many of you may no his second dream was not accomplished but his first one certainly was. O'Connor was the number one prospect in the state of Illinois his Junior year in high school despite having a down season by his standards. He attended a prestigious high school baseball camp sponsored by Perfect Game training, and went up against stars like B.J Upton. O'Connor was the number 5 ranked catcher in the camp which is quiet an accomplishment for an athlete who didn't play catcher in high school, and wasn't projected to at Florida State either. Although he was the star of the state he underwent serious criticism his Senior year in high school.
O'Connor forwent his senior baseball season because Florida State had asked him to graduate early and come down to play baseball in the spring. This is not a common thing in College baseball, in fact it has only happened three other times and one of those times came the same year that O'Connor did it.
When he left early he was considered a trader by many of his high school teammates, but many didn't understand the accomplishment and compliment it was to be asked to come early. In his freshman season he struggled to adjust to the college life and allowed the game to play with his mind. He gradually lost playing time, and eventually people began to question his decision to leave early and began saying he wasn't ready for big time baseball yet. To this day he stands by his decision and doesn't regret a thing.
"It was a dream come true and I wouldn't change anything about it. I am playing baseball for the Florida State Seminoles and this has been my goal since I was a little kid."
By graduating high school early O'Connor shut down every shot he had about being drafted. He was projected as a 5th through 9th round draft, but at a position he hadn't really played, as a catcher.
O'Connor's sophomore season did not start the way he had planned. In a practice he went to make a diving catch and broke his wrist. He ended up taking a medical red shirt and had now had two major set backs in his career already. Between position changes, struggles at the plate, and his injury he knew he had a lot to overcome.
"I just need to get back to the basics and remember that this is just a game" he said.
Entering this season O'Connor had not guaranteed spot in the lineup and had no real position, but during the off season he worked on playing the outfield because it was the position that gave him the best chance of playing. When he reported to practice the coaches had a spot in Center Field because, the All-American, Shane Robinson had been drafted by the Cardinals. Although O'Connor was still raw at the position he fought to earn a spot in the starting lineup and the coach so far has stood by his decision.
Florida State Baseball is known for their winning tradition, and also for their lack of ability to win the big one. This team may be the best one they have if their young center fielder can continue his early success. O'Connor is hitting .353 on the young season, but it is his patience and timely hitting that is showing his coach why he recruited him. As this season goes on no one will expect O'Connor to be Shane Robinson, who hit over .400 in his junior season, but they are looking for him to continue to play up to his potential. O'Connor has the size and speed to be a star at the college and pro level, and although college baseball is not followed as closely as other sports, the spotlight will be on him and as long as he keeps his cool he should be able to shine and help to lead this team to their first college world series ever.
The grammar and spelling in this article is not perfect. I am just currently beginning to take journalism classes and as a writer I was always told to just write and worry about grammar second. Since I proof read all my stuff it is hard for me to catch simple mistakes. I would really like constructive criticism and compliments and comments on it. This is not on a topic that many no much about but I think College Baseball is an absolute blast and this kid was a very interesting story. My writing is a little raw because I am yet to take sports journalism classes but I love writing... Thanks guys I appreciate it and I will be posting one of these weekly.
Florida State University is Quickly Becoming Center Fielder "U"
By Erik Johnson
Although college baseball is not a sport that is followed by many, it may be one of the more entertaining athletic events there is. The College World Series is one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events in the world of sports, and although Florida State is arguably the most prestigious college baseball program in the country, they have yet to taste the bittersweetness of the College World Series.
Florida States program has the most wins in division one history and has produced numerous Major League Stars. The quickly growing, spot light, position at Florida State is Center Field. JD Drew and Shane Robinson were both All-Americans but there is one that has caught my eyes recently, who may not have the resume as Drew and Robinson but has the talent to be every bit as good. Although he has gone through more ups and downs then the Alps this young gun has a chance to be special.
Ruairi O'Connor was just 5 years old when he knew that he wanted to attend Florida State University, and at that time his dreams were to play baseball and Quarterback for the Seminoles. Well as many of you may no his second dream was not accomplished but his first one certainly was. O'Connor was the number one prospect in the state of Illinois his Junior year in high school despite having a down season by his standards. He attended a prestigious high school baseball camp sponsored by Perfect Game training, and went up against stars like B.J Upton. O'Connor was the number 5 ranked catcher in the camp which is quiet an accomplishment for an athlete who didn't play catcher in high school, and wasn't projected to at Florida State either. Although he was the star of the state he underwent serious criticism his Senior year in high school.
O'Connor forwent his senior baseball season because Florida State had asked him to graduate early and come down to play baseball in the spring. This is not a common thing in College baseball, in fact it has only happened three other times and one of those times came the same year that O'Connor did it.
When he left early he was considered a trader by many of his high school teammates, but many didn't understand the accomplishment and compliment it was to be asked to come early. In his freshman season he struggled to adjust to the college life and allowed the game to play with his mind. He gradually lost playing time, and eventually people began to question his decision to leave early and began saying he wasn't ready for big time baseball yet. To this day he stands by his decision and doesn't regret a thing.
"It was a dream come true and I wouldn't change anything about it. I am playing baseball for the Florida State Seminoles and this has been my goal since I was a little kid."
By graduating high school early O'Connor shut down every shot he had about being drafted. He was projected as a 5th through 9th round draft, but at a position he hadn't really played, as a catcher.
O'Connor's sophomore season did not start the way he had planned. In a practice he went to make a diving catch and broke his wrist. He ended up taking a medical red shirt and had now had two major set backs in his career already. Between position changes, struggles at the plate, and his injury he knew he had a lot to overcome.
"I just need to get back to the basics and remember that this is just a game" he said.
Entering this season O'Connor had not guaranteed spot in the lineup and had no real position, but during the off season he worked on playing the outfield because it was the position that gave him the best chance of playing. When he reported to practice the coaches had a spot in Center Field because, the All-American, Shane Robinson had been drafted by the Cardinals. Although O'Connor was still raw at the position he fought to earn a spot in the starting lineup and the coach so far has stood by his decision.
Florida State Baseball is known for their winning tradition, and also for their lack of ability to win the big one. This team may be the best one they have if their young center fielder can continue his early success. O'Connor is hitting .353 on the young season, but it is his patience and timely hitting that is showing his coach why he recruited him. As this season goes on no one will expect O'Connor to be Shane Robinson, who hit over .400 in his junior season, but they are looking for him to continue to play up to his potential. O'Connor has the size and speed to be a star at the college and pro level, and although college baseball is not followed as closely as other sports, the spotlight will be on him and as long as he keeps his cool he should be able to shine and help to lead this team to their first college world series ever.
The grammar and spelling in this article is not perfect. I am just currently beginning to take journalism classes and as a writer I was always told to just write and worry about grammar second. Since I proof read all my stuff it is hard for me to catch simple mistakes. I would really like constructive criticism and compliments and comments on it. This is not on a topic that many no much about but I think College Baseball is an absolute blast and this kid was a very interesting story. My writing is a little raw because I am yet to take sports journalism classes but I love writing... Thanks guys I appreciate it and I will be posting one of these weekly.
