Get to meet Nick Tampa, who was the star center fielder for the Panthers this past season. Tampa is coming off an impressive 2022 campaign where he had 15 extra-base hits while posting an impressive slash line of .341/.455/.504 in 50 games played. Flashing the leather in center and helping the team in several facets of the games allowed the Panthers to post 32 wins (second-most in school history). Tampa is looking forward to next season!
Go MC Panthers: Why was this team so successful this season?
Tampa: I think our team was so successful this season because all the guys were on the same page. We knew we could win any game and we were always there to back each other up and pick each other up at any moment.
GoMCPanthers Question: What are you looking to next season the most at the moment?
Tampa: I'm excited to meet all the new guys we have coming in and trying to recreate the great team bond we had this year with next years guys
GoMCPanthers Question: How are you able to balance studies, social/family life to go along with games/practice?
Tampa: Just making sure that I was keeping my priorities straight and keeping up the grades at all times.
GoMCPanthers Question: Favorite current athlete?
Tampa: Tim Anderson.
GoMCPanthers Question: Is there a MLB CF that you look up to the most currently or all-time such as Mike Trout, Ken Griffey Jr.?
Tampa: Mike Trout is always a guy I watch when it comes to hitting mechanics and his approach at the plate.
GoMCPanthers Question: Favorite part about playing on the team….
Tampa: It was the first time I felt truly that everyone was involved in the team aspect and kept good relationships with everyone on the team. I also loved hearing from the older guys, getting their views on things since this was my first year.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite part about playing center field: is it tracking down every fly ball, blooper, or is it seeing the entire field and helping your corner outfielders, or all of the above?
Tampa: My favorite part of center field is having the confidence to move in every direction and keep everything under control.
GoMCPanthers: CUBS or SOX?
Tampa: Always has been and always will be the Sox.
GoMCPanthers Question: Favorite pre-game or post-game meal/ritual?
Tampa: Surprisingly, I don't have any rituals pre or post game.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite TV/Movie?
Tampa: Jurassic Park.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite sport to watch?
Tampa: Baseball.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite part about your coach Chris Wido?
Tampa: Coach Wido did a great job of letting the guys be themselves along with keeping everyone under control at the same time. I have heard of many programs where the guys turn into robots and all the same type of player and I think the personalities on our team was a very big reason why we saw a lot of success this year.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite class you've taken at Morton College?
Tampa: Music Appreciation with Jered Montgomery, Brodie and I met in that class first semester and Jered made the class very fun.
GoMCPanthers: Why did you choose Morton College? What do you love most about it?
Tampa: I chose Morton College because of the good feeling I had when I had my visit, I loved my teammates the most this year.
GoMCPanthers: Funniest teammate and example or why they are so funny?
Tampa: I think David Burch and Darrius Little as a combination were absolutely hilarious together, it was a great combination of personalities that anything could happen at anytime and how they would interact and communicate with one another was great.
GoMCPanthers: Personal adjustments you made at the plate this season…
Tampa: Remembering to look for my pitch early on in at bats. In the beginning of the year I didn't know what I was looking for which made me struggle big time.
GoMCPanthers: One thing we should know about why you are successful?
Tampa: Having a great place to train at along with great people around me is the key to success.
GoMCPanthersFavorite part about baseball?
Tampa: The bonds you make with your teammates that you would never expect sometimes, they become such a big part of your life and impact to the future.
GoMCPanthers: Other sports that you enjoy playing back in the day or fun w/friends, family?
Tampa: Pond hockey is my other favorite sport to play with friends in the winter.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite time of the year?
Tampa: Summer because that means its baseball season!
GoMCPanthers: Birthday?
Tampa: October 23.
GoMCPanthers: Twitter Account?
Tampa: ntampa45
Original source can be found here.
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