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| Greg Reinhard |
Professional baseball player
Greg Reinhard agreed to do an interview for me. Thank you Greg!
LoudMom: At what age did you start playing baseball?
Greg: I have been playing baseball as long as I can remember. My first memories are out in the yard having a catch with my dad. He was insightful enough to get me in organized baseball two years early by lying about my age, so I'm guessing I was 5 in the 7 year old league. He didn't make me play either, which is what I'm guessing people would take from him signing me up young. My dad has always said, and made it known that I could do whatever I wanted. It just seems all I have ever wanted was to play this game, or be around it.
LoudMom: What is your favorite youth baseball memory?
Greg: My 9 and 10 year old days of playing on the All-Star teams in Marinette stick out. Before the days of club baseball for youth players, the All-Stars is all we had to play tournaments with. So many of those kids are still my good friends today. It is really where I learned to win, and to excel in big moments that likely weren't that big of a deal, but seemed like the only thing in the world that mattered at that time.
Other than that, playing catch with my dad. I know people have written books about it the experience, but it is really special. We still get the chance occasionally when I'm home. It seems from the beginning we used a game of catch to have conversations about life. That's probably the reason why so many dads and kids in America love the game. It gives kids a chance to have a relationship with there dad after he gets home from work, and for dad to stay young and have that same relationship.
LoudMom: What kind of influence did your parents have on your baseball career?
Greg: My parents have had the most impact on my career than anyone. They have done so much, but from the beginning I think they realized how much I loved it and how serious I was about it. It has always been so much more than a game, more like a lifestyle or way of life. Since I think they saw that in the way I treated it, they always were willing to be there for anything I have needed, whether it meant driving to Tennessee to experience my first taste of serious baseball when I was 15, or driving back to Tennessee when I was 23 in professional baseball. I am forever indebted to them for all the help along the way.
LoudMom: What advice do you have for youth baseball players?
Greg: I think young players need to have fun with the game of baseball, but treat the game with respect. I can not think of a time as a youth player where I threw my stuff, or didn't take the game serious when I was between the lines. There is only one way to play the game, and I think it is kind of escaping the baseball culture in today's game.
Lastly, there is no pickup baseball games being played anywhere. Kids need to learn the game, follow it, and dream about it. Playing video games doesn't seem to be the answer. They should be outside in the neighborhood playing wiffleball, wall ball, pickle, anything but PS3.
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