He’s a Calgary kid who grew up playing all the time at Tourmaline Field in Okotoks, but outfielder Jaxson Hooge has always been a rival of the Dawgs.
It makes sense then, that the former Pro Baseball Force (PBF) Redbird ended up playing for the Medicine Hat Mavericks.
The 6-foot-1 right-handed batter is back for a second season with the Mavs this year, after putting in a second-team, All-American campaign with the Tabor College Bluejays in Kansas.
Over 52 games with Tabor, Hooge had a stellar season, smashing nine home runs, posting 57 RBI and scoring 47 runs. The business management major also recorded a .382 batting average and a .467 on-base percentage.
We caught up with Hooge and gave him our batting lineup full of questions. Here’s what he had to say for our “1 Thru 9” feature.
1. What is your walk-up/warm-up tune?
“Way Down We Go” by Kaleo
2. What is the best pre-game meal?
Typically some sort of sandwich or wrap.
3. Your family sends you a care package. What’s in it?
Probably some sort of candy.
4. What is your favourite stadium to watch or play baseball in?
Fenway is such an awesome stadium. Definitely my favourite park that I’ve been to.
5. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a baseball player and why?
It’s hard to choose a single person. I could choose a former coach or a major leaguer I’ve tried to imitate, but truthfully I’ve had a lot of people influence my game along the way and it would be impossible to pick just one.
6. Who was the best teammate you’ve ever had and why?
Michael Baca (of Tabor College). He was the best role model I’ve ever played under. He worked hard on and off the field and just demanded excellence all the time.
⚾️2018 Seniors⚾️
Back Row: Blake Standiford, Alfredo Valentin Perez, Emmanuel Pantaleon, Kyle James, Kellen Reed, Jaxson Hooge, Tommy Sleva, Ryan Minnix, Alex Cristobal Vidot. Front Row:Skyler Cohn, Mitchell McIntyre, Brett Haney, Graham Wiebe, Abdiel Alicea Diaz. pic.twitter.com/Hsf8qSJsJK— TaborCollegeBaseball (@TaborBaseball) January 18, 2018
7. What is the best thing about playing baseball in the WMBL?
Getting to play in a competitive setting that’s close to home.
8. What is your favourite baseball memory?
All of the travel, countless road trips, playing wiffle ball or flip or whatever. Messing around during rain delays and just getting to hang out with the guys.
9. What is the best piece of baseball advice you’ve ever received?
“Less is more.”
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