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05/14/2023 06:45 AMFrom a very young age, Troy Piascik has had America’s Pastime instilled in him and has taken a great liking to the game–leading to him eating, sleeping, and breathing baseball while showing more aggression and less apprehension at the plate to be a smash hit for the Hand baseball team.
The Tigers’ senior captain and first baseman was introduced to the sport through his father via hitting off a tee when he was in his early youth. As of press time, Troy currently holds a .469 batting average with 10 runs, 11 RBI, while smacking two home runs and being a perfect 4-for-4 in stealing bases for the Tigers.
“The biggest thing for me has been just working hard and going to the field to work out, even in the winter. I have also been doing the right things off the field with my diet, resistance training, and watching film; it really is like a lifestyle,” says Troy. “With hitting, the biggest change from last year is that I used to be a more passive/selective hitter. I would take the first pitch for a strike 90% of the time, and I would take time to get a feel for the pitcher. I developed more trust in myself and have been more aggressive.”
In addition to hastening his hesitation level when up at the bat, Troy details that he has acquired a healthy swagger about himself, which enables him to push past any mental hurdles when there are more whiffs than wallops with the wood.
“Being more aggressive at the plate has helped me mentally, too, in addition to being completely confident,” Troy says. “Even if I have an off day or game when I am not hitting, I stay confident and tell myself that I am just one swing away from turning it around.”
Troy is certainly honest when it comes to a day in the life of a player at the quiet corner of first. Yet he counters that by noting how the position is critical as a sort of secondary infield catcher by being a backstop to prevent errant throws from creating further trouble.
“First base is probably the least-demanding position, but some of the tougher parts of it can be staying focused, because the balls do not get hit to you often but you must stay focused on every pitch,” says Troy. “But it can be really rewarding when you are making the plays with your glove that save bad throws and save errors.”
Hand baseball Head Coach Travis LaPointe explains that as Troy has been holding the hot bat as of late, he is additionally a fiery and passionate leader and sets a valuable tone with his durability, heart, and pride towards the betterment of himself and the club.
“Troy is just on fire at the plate,” says LaPointe. “He is just a rock for us in our offensive lineup and is so consistent with his approach, mindset, and work ethic. He is one of the toughest guys I have ever coached, both mentally and physically. He has worked as hard as anyone this offseason and has come into the spring as a faster, stronger, leaner version of himself. He is such a smart player that always seems to be a step ahead of his opponent.”
As a steward of the squad, Troy knows he is an impressionable influence on all of his younger colleagues and teammates, so he explains that he is always aware of the image he conveys in each instance of action. Furthermore, his undying and unnerving will to win supplants him past any sort of adversity on and off the diamond.
“Being a captain has been an enjoyable experience. It is nice having people look up to you and be able to lead by example. You and your mood can affect the way others perform, so it is about being confident even when things don’t go your way,” Troy says. “My toughness comes from my mentality of being aggressive and the fact that I do not like to lose. It makes me train and try to do everything right on and off the field. I tell myself that I want to succeed and I will succeed.”
Parting ways with baseball is certainly not something on Troy’s itinerary for the future, and getting the best education is assuredly on his agenda moving forth. He concludes by noting that Tigers’ baseball has been inarguably the greatest team atmosphere he has been privy to, while also discovering that a sound baseball club goes beyond wins and losses.
“The most important goal for me is to keep my grades up in college and have a successful career. I have no plans to quit baseball,” says Troy. “Honestly, Hand baseball is one of the best team cultures I have seen. We pride ourselves on holding each other accountable. Coach LaPointe helps with the emotional side of playing the game, and it all helps me play my best.”