Shipley pitcher Cole Humes is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The junior left handed pitcher/outfielder batted .522 with seven RBIs, six runs scored and two triples in the six games the Gators (5-1) played last week at ESPN Wide World Of Sports in Disney (Florida), while pitching 10 scoreless innings and striking out 11.  As a sophomore, Humes received All-Main Line and All-Central League baseball honors while playing for Haverford High School.

Q: On the trip to ESPN Wide World of Sports in Disney, what was working for you particularly well on the mound, and at bat (particularly the game you went 5-for-5)? What is your most vivid memory of the trip?

A: I think that both on the mound and in the box the biggest thing I had going for me was just staying relaxed at all times. I made it a priority during this trip to be relaxed when I was at the plate and not overthink. My 5-for-5 game I wasn’t trying to do anything special my goal was just to barrel the ball up and let everything else take care of itself. On the mound I have more of an aggressive style, I like to pound the strike zone and force the batter to hit the ball. My defense made some big plays behind me this week and they were really one of the key reasons I succeeded on the mound.

Q: Who are your favorite pitchers? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?

A: My favorite pitcher is Cole Hamels. An aspect of his game that I try to mimic are his breaking pitches. He can throw them at any time in the count, with great control, and that is definitely something I try to duplicate.

Q: What attracted you to Shipley?

A: I think one of the things that attracted me to Shipley most was its overall atmosphere and educational opportunities. Coming over I had heard nothing but positive things about the school and it really seemed like a good fit for me.

Q: Your favorite park is Citizens Bank Park, where you have seen many Phillies games; and last year you got a chance to pitch  there in the Carpenter Cup. What is your most vivid memory of pitching at Citizens Bank Park?

A: My favorite memory of pitching at Citizens Bank Park would have to be running out of the bullpen and taking the mound. I have never had to come into a game from the outfield so making that run across a pro field was definitely a new experience for me. Looking on from the mound and realizing that this is where the Phillies play was an unreal feeling.

Q: Where do you usually bat in the lineup? Does your batting approach change when you are moved up or down in the lineup order?

A: This year I have been batting leadoff for Shipley and I think it has really helped me see more pitches and work the count. I have experience batting all throughout the lineup and my approach never drastically changes. I think that, batting anywhere in the lineup, you just have to be patient and find your pitch, whether that’s in a 0-0 count or a 3-2 count.

Q: As a pitcher, can you pick up clues to what to throw to a hitter while watching him in pre-game batting practice? Can you give an example of this?

A: Yes, I believe that by watching the batter pre-game you can pick up many of his tendencies. For example, if I see a guy having trouble sucking his hands in and getting to the inside pitch I am going to bust him inside and try to exploit that weakness.

Q: As a pitcher, after facing a hitter a couple of times in a game, you probably have a better idea of what to throw him late in a game. Can you give us an example of how this has worked in your favor?

A: Yes, I love to go right after the batter but I make sure that I do it strategically. If I have started a batter off with a fastball earlier in the game, the second or third time around I will mix it up, whether that be slightly varying the speed and location on my fastball or throwing one of my off speed pitches. This has worked in my favor because it helps keep the hitters off balance and constantly guessing.

Q: You wear No. 30 Shipley. Is there a reason you picked that number – does it have any significance to you?

A: I had previously worn No. 7 for my entire life before high school, but when I entered high school I was assigned No. 30 and I stuck with the number out of habit.

 

 

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?

A: I think the strongest part of my game is my resilience. If I strike out or make a bad play early in the game, I forget it and don’t let it affect my play during the rest of the game. I always try to stay in a positive mood.

Q: What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: The one part of my game I am working on most is remembering to have fun. I have made it a big priority to realize that baseball is just a game and just keep that same love for the game that I had when I started at age 6.

Q: Who have been your biggest baseball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?

A: I think that it has been my Dad and my 10 year old little league coach, Coach Ron. My Dad has taught me everything I know about the game and is always there to make little tweaks to my game when I need them. Also Coach Ron just made the game fun for me from a young age. I still remember all the fun practices and team meetings we would have and I try to keep that same enthusiasm that I had for the game back then with me now.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: It starts in the morning, I always make sure that I drink a ton of water and eat healthy leading up to the game. Then once I’m on the field for warm-ups I like to put my headphones in and get hyped up to whatever music  I decide to listen to on that day. I love to have a lot of time to stretch – that way I can get as loose as possible.

Q:  Is there a particular career path that interests you at the present time?

A: While it is very early [in the career decision-making process], something that I am very interested in is possibly becoming a lawyer and studying international business.

Fun facts – Cole Humes

Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird.

Favorite author: Harper Lee.

Favorite TV show: The Blacklist.

Favorite movie: Finding Nemo.

Favorite athlete: Cole Hamels.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: No Mercy –  T.I.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Phillies.

Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J.

Favorite pre-game meal: Blueberry yogurt and a Gatorade protein bar.

Favorite color: Red.

Person I most admire: “I have many people in my personal life that I admire but an athlete I really admire is Tim Tebow. He knows how to win games and has such good character. Despite any struggles he goes through, his faith is unshakable.”

Siblings: twin brother Ian.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)