Shipley’s Marco Grimmig is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

A junior first baseman and pitcher, Grimmig leads the Friends Schools League champions in almost every offensive category. As of May 20, he was batting .425, with an OPS of 1.078, 20 RBIs, 18 walks and six extra-base hits. “He’s been our most consistent hitter all season,” said Shipley head coach Bryan Bendowski. On the mound, Grimmig has struck out 30 batters in 20 innings pitched.

Q: Shipley lost a lot of its offensive production to graduation last year, and Coach Bendowski talked to you about stepping up your offensive numbers this spring. What aspect of your game did you work on most during the past off-season?

A: Yes, this year I knew I was going to have to be a leader of the team especially on the offensive side as we lost four of our top five hitters. In the off-season I worked on keeping my hands inside the ball and my bat path to the ball. This has helped me be quicker to the ball and hit more line drives.

Q: What do you think has been the most important thing you’ve learned recently regarding hitting?

A: I think the most important thing I’ve learned this year is confidence at the plate. This year I have trusted my abilities more and believed in myself.

Q: What is your most vivid memory of Shipley winning the Friends Schools League title this season? What has been your most memorable experience as a Shipley baseball player to date – can you share it with us?

A: It was definitely our statement win against Friends’ Central, a lot of people didn’t expect us to beat them but since Bevan pitched great and we made all our plays in the field and scored a few runs we were able to pull it out. My most memorable moment was winning this championship. I wasn’t a big contributor of either of the last two championships teams (even though I did start) so this one felt special. This one was also special because a lot of people counted us out after we lost many of our best players last year.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in baseball. Who have been your biggest baseball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you about baseball?

A: I started playing baseball in 2nd grade because my friends were doing it and I wanted to play with them and I have loved it ever since. My biggest mentor has definitely been my Dad, he coached me throughout little league and has taught me more than anybody else has about baseball. I also have had some great coaches along the way, especially at Shipley with Bryan Bendowski and Paul Komorowski. Bryan has helped me become mentally tough and a smart baseball player while Paul has helped me with my hitting. I have known both coaches since I was in elementary school so they have helped me more than just these past three years.

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player and why?

A: This year my favorite baseball player has been Tim Anderson. I like how passionate he is and how he plays his own way and doesn’t care what other people think about him.

Q: What is your favorite ballpark and why?

A: My favorite ballpark is Fenway, I like the history there.

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

A: I try to eat a good breakfast of eggs and fruit and a good lunch with meat and carbs. When I am done with my classes I go right to the field and get as many cuts as I can in before the game. I always start with tee work then move to soft toss and overhand.

Q: Other than baseball, what other extracurricular activities do you participate in at Shipley?

A: I love to lift, it’s been a hobby of mine since I started the summer after my freshman year. I also like playing basketball but I only play for fun now. I am also involved in the Help For the Homeless Club that a few of my good friends started this year.

Q: What’s your favorite subject in school? What do you think you might like to major in at college? 

A: My favorite subject in school is Mandarin. I like it because it’s different from any class I’ve taken before and it challenges me to learn something completely different from what I am used to. I think I want to major in finance in college, as far as careers go I am not sure yet.

Fun facts – Marco Grimmig
Favorite book: Angels and Demons.
Favorite author: Dan Brown.
Favorite TV show: Naruto.
Favorite movie: Black Panther.
Favorite athlete: Joel Embiid.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Gutta by G Herbo.
Favorite team: Yankees, 76ers.
Favorite place to visit: Disney Caribbean Beach Hotel Resort.
Favorite pre-game meal: Chicken sandwich from Wawa.
Person I most admire, and why: “Either my Mom or my Dad, I admire how much both of them have overcome to get to where they are; I wouldn’t feel right having to choose between them.”
Siblings: younger sister Rita.

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