Matt Cajigal

Current West Ranch Player

Describe your emotions when you were told that you made the baseball team.

When I was told I made the team, I was very excited. When I tried out the first time, I had mixed emotions going into the meeting. This time I was confident going into the meetings, a little nervous, but a lot more confident than the first time.

 

You’ve pitched in quite a few fall games so far this year and have had a lot of success. What do you hope to accomplish this season?

This season I hope to make myself a better person through baseball. I do okay on the mound, but if I really work hard and pay attention to what the coaches have to say to me, I know not only I will be more successful, but the team will be too.

I am thankful for my family making many sacrifices in driving me to and from school. Sometimes it is hard living all the way in Saugus. If I forget anything, it takes a miracle for me to get to school on time. Baseball and school have been a little tough to balance. Even now I’m still adjusting to the block schedule. Finding time for homework, and still being able to work hard at baseball has been very difficult. Setting time for baseball and setting time for homework and studying have been the key. Basically, I have my priorities sorted out. If I can’t make the grades, not only do I disappoint my parents and myself, I also let down the team.

If my family left me for a vacation, I’d probably do a little of everything. Have some friends over, get ahead on some homework maybe, and ask someone on the team to catch me so they could tell me exactly how my balls are moving and where they’re ending up.

Three of my favorite bands, that’s tough. I’d have to say Led Zeppelin, The Commodores, and EWF (Earth Wind and Fire). (Editor’s Note: Are you kidding me??!! Earth, Wind and Fire? NIGHT!)

Hobbies, besides baseball, I’d have to go with video games. I’m also into car shows like the L.A. Auto show and Hot Import Nights. I also build my own custom computers.

 

Tell us something about you that nobody else knows.

If there is something that nobody knows about, it has to be the side of me that everyone doesn’t see. When I’m at school or baseball I feel like I’m leading different lives. For some weird reason, I act different around people at school. I’m always trying to do something that would make me noticed (typical of a teenager). But the people that really know me see a completely different side of me. They say I’m like a kid, I love to have fun, and that I’m the sweetest guy in the world. This is very tough to admit. I only hope that the team can understand who I really am. I really want to show the guys that there is someone completely different living inside me that I’m just waiting to show them.

 

What are the best and worst movies you have ever seen?

The best movie I’ve ever seen has to be RUSH HOUR 2. It has a lot of stuff like fighting, humor, and a really good story line. It was definitely an improvement from the first movie. Jackie and Chris Tucker are a good pair for the movie. The Worst movie I think I’ve ever seen was Charlie’s Angeles. The movie was okay… so were the actors… but they really butchered the original old school series. The make it all action packed, they stray away from the actual plot of the original… they also stray away form reality.

My most favorite baseball memory was the only time I’ve ever been in a championship game. Though we lost and got 2 nd, I had a great time on that team. Our record was 23-0 season 2-2 championships. I grew a lot as a pitcher and as a person through that game.

HAHA!!! Winter Formal. If I could bring anyone on the planet to Winter Formal… I don’t know who I’d bring. I’d want to bring all my friends (that are girls) that have helped me become the person I am (excluding my mom). Sometimes it’s hard to get myself to do stuff. They’re always behind me and are always willing to help me. If I had to narrow it down to one person, I’d have to say, my oldest friend Stephanie. We’ve been through a lot together. Even though I haven’t seen her in almost 2 years, I know she’d be more than willing to go with me.

If there was one person who has influenced me a lot, it would have to be my older cousin Kris. He has set standards for me at where I wasn’t to be when I’m his age. Naturally it is to be better. I really hope one day I can be as good as him. When I reach that point in my life, I’ll already be reaching for something more.