Jeff Knosp

Current COC Player

Congratulations on making the COC baseball team. You’re getting some serious playing time and contributing as a Freshman. Talk about the differences between high school ball and college ball.

One of the biggest differences is the pitching. College pitchers have at least two if not three good pitches that they can all throw for strikes. Hitters are better...they hit the ball with power to all fields and have a better approach when they come to the plate. As an outfielder, the fields are bigger which means more ground to cover. Coaches and players are always looking for an edge they can get on opposing teams.

 

Coach Cota has a fine reputation in the baseball community. Tell us what it has been like playing for him.

Coach Cota is a great guy and a great coach. He really understands the game and is easy to play for. The COC baseball program is a great program and I am real fortunate to be playing for Coach Cota and along side such great talent.

 

Describe your high school baseball experience.

High school baseball could not have gone any better for me. I loved playing for Coach B, Priske, Fogs, and Smocker. They are great coaches and even better people. Playoff baseball is like nothing else a high school baseball player can experience and I was happy I got to be a part of such a great program at saugus. The varsity team last year was definitely the most fun I have ever had on a team. Being able to stay off the disabled list for an entire year would have been nice.

 

How did you like playing for Burrill, Priske, Fogel and Smock? Go ahead an be honest, I’ll just edit anything negative ;)

They are all caring and classy guys on and off the field. It was great to be part of a program with coaches who cared so much about the players. I learned a lot from them in baseball and life.

 

What are some of your fondest memories of high school baseball?

I would say just being a part of a program that was rejuvenated is something that all of us who were apart of it will look back on as being a real special thing. Personally, I would say that the spring break tournaments over the years, especially vegas, were a lot of fun. Also, playing broom hockey at the ice station and taking over like Wayne Gretzky was a ton of fun. NNNIIITTTTEEEE!!!

 

What advice would you give to a high school athlete that wants to play baseball at a higher level?

Always show up ready to work. Just showing up and going through the motions will not get you to the next level. School should always come first. Take the classes you need to put yourself in a position to play at the next level. Listen to your coaches! Always put the team before yourself. College coaches have no time or patience for players who do not play the game the right way either with their skills or with their attitudes.

 

Is there an athlete or another adult that has served as an inspiration to you in your life? If so, tell us why.

My parents have sacrificed a lot of time over the years to allow me to play sports. I know they have enjoyed it. I always appreciate how my mom was always concerned with eating properly and keeping my uniform clean. I will always appreciate the time my dad has spent over the years throwing to me in the cage, breaking down my swing and showing me what things i was doing wrong if i was in a slump, and teaching me lessons in baseball and in life that i will use for the rest of my life.

 

What are your favorite food, movie, music, and ideal dream date?

I love mexican food. Even though i am Italian, and my grandparents will probably kill me for saying that, Italian food is also at the top of my list. I have many favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption, Field of Dreams, and Happy Gilmour, are a few of my favorites. I enjoy listening to punk and rock music like AFI and Social Distortion. Bob Marley is also one of my all-time favorites. If i could take any woman on a date it would probably be Carmen Electra.

 

What kind of music makes your ears bleed?

All I am gonna say is someone needs to look up all the country singers in a building and throw away the key.

 

Tell us something about you that nobody knows.

I would have said that i suck in math but i am affraid too many people know about that already. When i was four years old i was playing in a tee ball game and i sharted in my pants and they had to delay the game while i took care of that.

 

If you could suit up for any team in the world and play just one game for them, which team would you choose and why?

This is easy. I would play for the L.A. Kings and wear number 99 and start at center. Hockey is my favorite sport and Gretzky is a role model for me in sports.

 

If you could invite any three people in the history of the world over for dinner, whom would you choose?

Bob Marley, because of how he was such a role model in Jamaica and was able to bring the country together with his music. John Wooden, because of what he was able to accomplish and his philosophies of life. Ghandi, but he would not eat, so probably Martin Luther King, because of his impact through peaceful means and love for all races.