Kapolei Pitcher Hits The Road With Summer League
Joshua Garcia. Photo from HPU Sports Information Office.
Baseball has been an all-consuming activity for Hawaii Pacific University pitcher Joshua Garcia for as long as he can remember.
With that in mind, competing with the Kenosha Kingfish (of the Northwoods League) is a perfect fit for Garcia this summer, as he and his teammates are slated to play 72 games in 76 days.
“It is a lifestyle, I would say. I can’t imagine not playing baseball,” said Garcia, a Kapolei resident, who will be a junior at HPU this fall. “When I was younger, there weren’t really summer leagues, and all I did when baseball ended was play video games. I needed to be playing baseball all the time. It’s what makes me happy.”
Garcia, who posted an earned average runs of 2.68 with HPU this past spring, likens the Northwoods League to a “a minor league baseball internship.” He will likely log 12 starts on the mound by the time Kenosha’s season wraps and he returns home. Garcia recently took some time to chat with MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander during a road trip to Madison, Wis.
What is your earliest baseball memory? I would have to say when I was 5 and playing on my first Little League Team, the Athletics. My dad was an assistant coach, and Chuck Decoito was our head coach. I played on that team for two years, and we went undefeated in each. I still keep in touch with a lot of my teammates. We became lifelong friends.
Who has had the biggest impact on you in your life? Mostly my family and, definitely, my dad (Eddie). Ever since I was 5, he’s come to every game. To this day, he still comes to every game. He’s even there on the days when I’m not pitching. It’s amazing how much he supports me.
What are you working on the most this summer? Right now, I’m trying to work on my pitching location for all of my pitches, and my velocity and command of my pitches. I know that’s what the scouts are looking at.
What movie could you watch over and over again? Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Who are three of your favorite musical artists? Usher, Revolution and Tyga.
What is your least favorite household chore? Washing the dishes.
What website do you go to the most? YouTube. Mostly, I watch music (videos) or sports or anything that’s cool.
What road trip have you enjoyed the most this summer as you’ve traveled around the Midwest? I’d say our trip to Green Bay (Wisconsin). We drove by Lambeau Field (home of the Packers). We were going to go inside, but it is under construction so we couldn’t. The stadium we are playing in now (in Madison) has a Jumbotron and some other cool stuff I’ve never seen before.
When you have free time, how do you spend it? What are your hobbies? Probably just downloading music. I like to have music when traveling and for getting ready for games.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, I’ll still be playing baseball.
If it is in the minor leagues, that will still be awesome. If I’m still playing baseball, I’ll be happy.
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