Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
While the Galion Graders feature numerous players from Ohio, one player made his way to the Galion Graders organization by way of Michigan.
A sophomore at Michigan State University, Robbie Jones attended high school at West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield, Mich. Jones described how he wound up playing center field for the Graders.
“Well in the fall my coach was giving me a bunch of different options of where I could go for the next summer, where I could play summer ball, and I said that I wanted to play in the Great Lakes League,” Jones explained. “He said ‘the Graders sound like a good option for you.’ After talking with the coaches, and kind of figuring everything out, I wound up down here in Galion.”
While Jones is playing in a summer collegiate league with other college baseball players, he noted that there were differences between college ball and ball in the Great Lakes Collegiate League.
“It is a pretty big difference. When you go into summer ball a lot of it is about totally just improving, making sure you are getting all the reps you need, you are getting everything you want out of the summer,” Jones said. “A lot of times when you are playing collegiate ball you don’t have that option because there is so many people on the roster. Where when you come to summer ball team there is a little bit less on the roster and you get more individualized attention from the coaches.”
While Jones has had success in high school and college, his favorite moment of his baseball career happened at a younger age.
“When I was 12 I actually played in Cooperstown, and it was the biggest tournament in the country and my team made it to the finals with two girls on the team, and it was just a really great experience going on that run,” Jones reflected. “I just remember how much fun it was. It is just a great reminder of how great the game of baseball is, and how much fun it is.”
While still early in the season Jones explained that so far he has enjoyed his time with the community.
“It is nice, everyone I met here has so far been kind and welcoming to us, and there is a lot of support for the Graders. It is a really nice community to be involved with.”
So far Jones is second on the team in batting with a .435 batting average. He also has nine runs on 10 hits, making him a threat to score whenever he gets on base. Jones explained that he enjoys his teammates, and that he is looking for the moment when the team comes together, pulls in a few wins, and makes a run.
“From what I have seen so far everyone is really nice, and it is a great group of guys. I think we are going to come together and string a couple of wins together and make a little run so I am just excited for everything to get clicking for us to make a little run.”
Jones’ talents will be on display in Galion for Graders home games throughout the 2016 season.