Adam Tripp

Player at Michigan State University

Describe your high school baseball experience.

My high school baseball experience was definitely an experience. I learned many new aspects of the game of baseball and how to compete at a higher level. Also I was taught many important lessons to life. Coach Burrill and his staff were hard on us players, but it only made us better ball players and people. High School baseball is a time I will never forget. Lots of fun memories of winning and even times of losing, which helped us learn from our mistakes and acknowledge the fact it takes a TEAM effort to win. Most importantly, it was lots of fun.

 

Have you enjoyed your college experience at Michigan State so far?

I have more than enjoyed my college experience here at Michigan State. I have had to endure many more responsibilities than I once had in high school. No longer is there parental supervision. I live in an apartment with three other guys and come home three times per year. I do everything myself which took time to adjust, but now I am comfortable living on my own.

 

What are some of the differences between playing baseball at the college level versus high school.

The biggest difference I would say between high school vs. college baseball is competition. Every player on the field was the best of their high school team, so there are no weaknesses on the field. Everything is harder. The pitchers throw harder and have better movement on their ball along with good accuracy. The hitters hit the ball harder and farther making f ielding crucially important. The one difference I have noticed is that the average Midwest ball players are not quite as good as the West Coast at fielding.

 

What advice would give a high school athlete that wants to play at the next level?

Practice. It takes lots of practice and hard work to move onto the next level. Talent and ability alone will not move a ball player to the next level.

 

How important is academics to a high school athlete?

Most importantly, moving on to play college baseball, an athlete needs good grades. There are not as many scholarships for baseball as there are for football and basketball, so players must be good students as well. Colleges will not even look at a ball player with bad grades. They need a player who is responsible enough to take care of school first and baseball second.

 

Who is the most influential person in your life?

I hate these questions. I am influenced by people older than myself that have worked hard and accomplished something in life. People who are stable and financially comfortable. People who work for what they have and are not handed everything. My father has an influence upon me.

 

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

I have no favorite athletes or sports teams. I like certain teams better than others and players as well. To name a few, I like Shawn Green. He is quiet and soft spoken, but mashes and gets his job done. I really like Darin Erstad and Jim Edmonds, they are extremely hard working and play balls-out. The way the game should be played.

 

How in the world did you make that homerun saving catch vs. Valencia?

Practice. We practiced making homerun robbing catches every week. It only came natural to first judge how far the ball was going to be, next, to find the fence, and second time it right and jump. It was pretty fun though. Along with hitting two homeruns off Matt Aidem and one off Jared Clark. Valencia stinks!!

 

Honestly, Michigan girls, or California girls?

I would say they are about the same. There are beautiful women everywhere you go!!

 

If you could have any three people, throughout history, over for dinner, who would they be?

I know you like these questions Smock so here you go: Kiera Knightly, Angelina Jolie, and Eva Mendes and the rest is history! I don’t know history too well so I can’t make up my mind. I would want my grandparents back I guess because they died when I was young.