Check out last year's baseball highlights!
Interview with Coach Mike Martin Jr.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Coach Mike Martin Jr. on his life as a FSU athletic coach. I met with Coach Martin Jr. on Thursday afternoon at the TCC baseball fields. The FSU baseball program was hosting a baseball training camp for high school kids in the area and Coach Martin was one of the coaches participating in the camp. The camp is usually held at the FSU baseball fields but at the moment, they are under construction for renovation. He apologized to me for having to conduct the interview in the dugout but I was just grateful I got to meet with him since right after this camp he was leaving to recruit for two weeks. When I first walked up to him, he had a big smile on his face, gave me a firm handshake and introduced himself. We walked into the dugout, I explained what I was doing this interview for again, and then we started. Here are the questions and answers to my interview with Coach Martin Jr.
Q: When/Why did you start coaching?
A: I started coaching in 1998 and I knew it was something I always wanted to do. I played baseball at FSU and then played in the Minor Leagues for three years so baseball became my life.
Q: Has the fact that you were a player impacted the way you coach?
A: When I first started I was very young (only a couple years older then the players I was coaching), so I felt that I was able to relate to them considering I already went through what they were going through.
Q: What do you expect from your players?
A: (When stating his answer, I could tell he was very serious about this subject, he talked in a firm tone and stated the following) I expect them to do well in the classroom, stay out of trouble, and play hard. In that order. We have a motto for our players that we expect them to live by and thats: "Do Whats Right".
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages to being a baseball player at FSU?
A: (He laughs) Well the boys are lucky because their on one of the only teams in the country that charter planes. So they don't take the commercial flights like many other teams do. They also have certain housing, gyms, cafeteria's, doctors, and tutoring available for their use. But with all these privileges comes responsibility, they are held to our expectations of doing well on and off the field. They have a very regimented schedule that gets very overwhelming and exhausting especially during season.
Q: During season, what's a normal day for you and the team?
A: Well we all wake up early, go over tapes from previous games to highlight and learn from our mistakes, eat lunch as a team, arrive three to four hours prior to the start of the game to practice, play the game, eat dinner, the boys do their homework, and then go to bed and repeat the process again.
Q: Whats your philosophy on winning and losing?
A: I believe that it all starts with the foundation. It starts with the right recruitment. We believe in the statement of finding players that can do something for FSU, not finding players that want to know what FSU can do for them. Once you have the right player, next is having the right coaching. And once these two things are aligned, winning comes next. And with winning comes the commodities that our players are fortunate to have.
Q: Besides recruiting the right player and having the right coaching, what is the secret to winning?
A: The fans. It is all about the fans and the support we get from the school and students. Some of the best games we've had came when the stands were packed. I believe that promoting our games and encouraging students to come to our games really helps the players do their best on the field. (As he was stating this to me, I could tell he was very passionate about this topic, he even asked me if I was going to be going to the games! I love baseball so I explained that I would most definitely be there and that seemed to make him happy)
Q: What's something that you believe most people do not know about the team?
A: Our team works really hard, and sometimes I think that people don't realize that. They have a very regimented schedule to follow and we expect a lot from them. Its not an easy thing to be a part of this team but it is very rewarding.
Q: For my last question, I'd like to know what is something most people don't know about you?
A: (He laughs) I'm an "old soul". I have certain things that I like a certain way and I usually don't deviate from them. I've had the same breakfast for many years and I don't plan on ever changing that.
Q: Since you said that you have the same breakfast every day, I'm curious. Do you mind telling us what that breakfast is?
A: I have 1 cup of coffee and a nutrigrain bar.
I hope this interview gives you a better insight on what it means to be a baseball coach here at FSU and what is expected from the players on the team. Unfortunately, since I met with Coach Martin Jr. on such short notice, I didn't have a chance to bring my camera for pictures. I hope you enjoyed reading this interview and look out for my next interview that will show a different perspective, the athletes view, on being part of the baseball team.
Interview with Gio Alfonzo
Gio Alfonzo is a freshman shortstop that was recruited from Lincoln Park Academy. He is 18 years old and is Trinidadian and Venezuelan. He is one of four children with an older sister and brother and a younger brother. I contacted him through a friend asking him if he would be interested in an interview with me and automatically accepted. So the next day, we decided to meet at the Starbucks in the Strozier Library. When I got there I texted him saying that I was seated in a booth and he said that he would be there in a minute, he was actually trying to finish some of his homework on the computer. So as promised, a minute later, I look to my left and see this guy coming towards me in a fitted baseball hat (the usual for him) and sweatpants. He was very polite by formally introducing himself, then he sat down and we started.
Q: To start this interview, I should probably ask how and when did you start playing?
A: (He took a deep breath in, trying to figure out how to properly state his answer) Well..my uncle and dad played pro ball so I was born into it. I threw a baseball before I could walk (he laughed) and I played on a 4-6 year old team when I was only 3.
Q: Since you were born into baseball, did you automatically fall in love with it?
A: I automatically fell in love with it because it was something my dad and I bonded over and since it was something I was pretty good at, it made me like it even more (He laughs). It sounds bad to say that but if your good at something, you usually like to continue with it.
Q: Did you ever face an obstacle such as an injury?
A: I actually broke my thumb right before I was going to play in a showcase. At this time, I didn't have a scholarship yet so as much as it hurt to play, I knew I had too. I received my FSU offer after this showcase so it was definitely worth the pain.
Q: What's a normal day for you?
A: Well right now I'm off season but to me, there really isn't an off season. Im still training and trying to get myself better before the season starts. So my normal day would be waking up for my 7:30 workout, then going to class, then grabbing lunch at the stadium's athletic cafeteria, then I go to training at 4:00, then go home to do my homework, eat dinner, and then either go out or go to sleep.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages to being a FSU baseball player?
A: We get special privileges and accommodations most students don't get. But with this privileges comes the responsibility of meeting our coaches expectations. We have special off campus housing, training rooms, weight rooms, cafeteria's, tutoring (if needed; Gio met a certain GPA standing so tutoring is optional for him), speciality doctors, and as a recruited player we are going to school here for free. We also receive reloadable $200 on Garnet Bucks that can be used anywhere on campus. The disadvantages are that we have a very regimented schedule during season, and this can become very exhausting.
Q: What do you like to do on your spare time?
A: I really don't have much spare time, but if I do I like to go out with my friends or stay in and watch movies. I have two back at the house that I haven't watched yet so I'll probably be having a couple movie nights soon.
Q: How hard is it to manage your time (manage classwork with baseball and try to have a social life)?
A: For me, It's actually easy because my school work has always come first and then baseball is second. I'm very dedicated and I know what needs to be done. It's not fun saying that I can't go out when all my friends are going out but I know I have to put baseball and academics before my social life.
Q: How many hours do you think baseball will take of your day during the season?
A: (He took a minute to calculate this while breaking down his schedule) 7-9 hours a day which is made up of a 3 hour game, a 1-2 hour practice, a 2 hour workout, and then a 1-2 hours of studying.
Q: What's something that most people probably don't know about you?
A: (He laughs) I'll give you a couple.
1. I'm a momma's boy, I call my mom and talk to her for an hour to two hours a day. I love my family, Im very lucky to have a very supportive big family that is always there for me.
2. My two roommates and I all have pet turtles. Mine is a boy and is named Junior.
3. (For some reason, he was very excited to state this one, I thought it was kind of embarrassing but he proceeded to say) Oooh and..I sleep with an Elmo stuffed animal. My dad gave it to me when I was very young and I have to sleep with it every night.
Q: If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?
A: Awesome (He jokingly laughs, and then since I thought he was kidding I asked him if he'd rather have something else written down, and he said no, awesome is a good word to describe me. I then laughed as well)
Q: Last question, What do you think people don't realize about the team?
A: People think of jocks as the stereotypical cool guys seen in movies but in reality, were all just big dorks (He grins and starts laughing). We make stupid jokes and laugh at ourselves. There are times when I'll go home and just think did we really do/say that. Also, people probably don't realize how close we are. Instead of just teammates, were more like a family. I consider the guys on the team my brothers.
After my interview with Gio, he offered to take me on a tour the next day of the spots he and the other baseball players usually can be found. Here are some pictures!
A: (He took a deep breath in, trying to figure out how to properly state his answer) Well..my uncle and dad played pro ball so I was born into it. I threw a baseball before I could walk (he laughed) and I played on a 4-6 year old team when I was only 3.
Q: Since you were born into baseball, did you automatically fall in love with it?
A: I automatically fell in love with it because it was something my dad and I bonded over and since it was something I was pretty good at, it made me like it even more (He laughs). It sounds bad to say that but if your good at something, you usually like to continue with it.
Q: Did you ever face an obstacle such as an injury?
A: I actually broke my thumb right before I was going to play in a showcase. At this time, I didn't have a scholarship yet so as much as it hurt to play, I knew I had too. I received my FSU offer after this showcase so it was definitely worth the pain.
Q: What's a normal day for you?
A: Well right now I'm off season but to me, there really isn't an off season. Im still training and trying to get myself better before the season starts. So my normal day would be waking up for my 7:30 workout, then going to class, then grabbing lunch at the stadium's athletic cafeteria, then I go to training at 4:00, then go home to do my homework, eat dinner, and then either go out or go to sleep.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages to being a FSU baseball player?
A: We get special privileges and accommodations most students don't get. But with this privileges comes the responsibility of meeting our coaches expectations. We have special off campus housing, training rooms, weight rooms, cafeteria's, tutoring (if needed; Gio met a certain GPA standing so tutoring is optional for him), speciality doctors, and as a recruited player we are going to school here for free. We also receive reloadable $200 on Garnet Bucks that can be used anywhere on campus. The disadvantages are that we have a very regimented schedule during season, and this can become very exhausting.
Q: What do you like to do on your spare time?
A: I really don't have much spare time, but if I do I like to go out with my friends or stay in and watch movies. I have two back at the house that I haven't watched yet so I'll probably be having a couple movie nights soon.
Q: How hard is it to manage your time (manage classwork with baseball and try to have a social life)?
A: For me, It's actually easy because my school work has always come first and then baseball is second. I'm very dedicated and I know what needs to be done. It's not fun saying that I can't go out when all my friends are going out but I know I have to put baseball and academics before my social life.
Q: How many hours do you think baseball will take of your day during the season?
A: (He took a minute to calculate this while breaking down his schedule) 7-9 hours a day which is made up of a 3 hour game, a 1-2 hour practice, a 2 hour workout, and then a 1-2 hours of studying.
Q: What's something that most people probably don't know about you?
A: (He laughs) I'll give you a couple.
1. I'm a momma's boy, I call my mom and talk to her for an hour to two hours a day. I love my family, Im very lucky to have a very supportive big family that is always there for me.
2. My two roommates and I all have pet turtles. Mine is a boy and is named Junior.
3. (For some reason, he was very excited to state this one, I thought it was kind of embarrassing but he proceeded to say) Oooh and..I sleep with an Elmo stuffed animal. My dad gave it to me when I was very young and I have to sleep with it every night.
Q: If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?
A: Awesome (He jokingly laughs, and then since I thought he was kidding I asked him if he'd rather have something else written down, and he said no, awesome is a good word to describe me. I then laughed as well)
Q: Last question, What do you think people don't realize about the team?
A: People think of jocks as the stereotypical cool guys seen in movies but in reality, were all just big dorks (He grins and starts laughing). We make stupid jokes and laugh at ourselves. There are times when I'll go home and just think did we really do/say that. Also, people probably don't realize how close we are. Instead of just teammates, were more like a family. I consider the guys on the team my brothers.
After my interview with Gio, he offered to take me on a tour the next day of the spots he and the other baseball players usually can be found. Here are some pictures!
This is the athletic training room. In here you can also find the offices of the physical/athletic trainers.
This is the athlete's tutoring center. Based off the athletes GPA, they are considered for tutoring.
Here, Gio is standing in front of the baseball field. Unfortanatly at the time of our tour, the field is under construction for renovation.
This is the athlete's personal gym. It is equipped with both cardio and weight machines.
This is the baseball team's clubhouse. A place where the boys can go to hangout and bond with their team.
Gio sleeping with "his elmo"
