Fresno State Athletics
A Lesson in Persistence
3/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 8, 2000
A Lesson in Persistence
By Curtis Webb
Former Fresno State baseball player Jim Rothford never expected to find himself in the Valley playing baseball. As a two-sport athlete at Hollywod High School, Rothford was a star tight end on the football team and a steady catcher on the baseball team. He then decided to continue playing both sports at L.A. Valley College. He started at tight end, but was not as successful on the baseball squad. In his freshman year he was a backup, witnessing his teammates capture the Metropolitan Conference title from the bench.
So circumstances led him to Fresno where he took a shot at playing for the Bulldog baseball team. After redshirting his first year with Fresno State due to injury, Rothford found himself as a backup again in his first full season. "In the '77 season we had made it to the district playoff in Hawai'i," Rothford said. "Unfortunately, I did not get to go. I thought maybe it would be time for me to go somewhere else."
Current assistant coach Mike Rupcich did not think so. He pulled Rothford aside to encourage him to stay and work hard for a position.
"Rupcich had a great impact on my life," Rothford said. "He really helped me to realize my potential and gave me good advice."
Rothford said Rupcich treated him like he treated everyone else. He was very fair and gave constructive criticism when it was necessary. Rupcich, though, gave Rothford the feeling he could succeed.
"Jim always had good, physical abilities," Rupcich said. "Sometimes he got on himself more than he should have. But he was always like a kid, enjoying the game of baseball. He still has a great passion for the game."
What a difference a year made for Rothford. In the summer of 1977, Rothford turned the corner towards becoming a great ball player. Head coach Bob Bennett was asked to help with the USA team during that time, leaving summer coaching duties to Rupcich. While some the top players in the West were playing in the more prestigious summer leagues, Rothford got his chance with the 'Dogs. Rothford had a breakout summer. He hit 22 home runs in 50 games, while beginning to feel comfortable behind the plate. In winter league he continued his torrid pace, hitting 25 homers in another 50 games.
By the time the '78 season began, Rothford found himself as the starting catcher. He hit 20 more round-trippers against Division 1 pitching in 54 games, which at the time, was a single-season school record.
"He had good power and handled pitchers very well," Rupcich said. "He was a mentally tough player, who was the kind of guy that every coach wants on his team."
Rothford tried his luck with the Fresno Giants organization where he played for about one and half years. In his professional debut he singled in his first at-bat. He went on to hit 3-for-4, including a grand slam and a three-run home run in a 9-8 loss. His minor league career included a few AA games in Shreveport and the opportunity to catch some great major leaguers, one being Vida Blue. Rothford and his wife Brooke of 20 years have two sons, Chad and Ryan who are both involved in athletics at Bullard High. He owns an business called Elite Advertising that he has enjoyed running for the past four years.
Baseball, however, continues to be a major part of Rothford's life. He has taken his knowledge of baseball and used it to teach and coach others. He currently gives private baseball lessons and helps in clinics at Hoover High every year. He is also involved at the pro camps that are held at Buchanan every season where he teaches young men the proper way to play the game.
"I still enjoy the sport very much," Rothford said. "I give back in any way I can, most of all, to teach kids to play the game right."
Rothford said his experience at Fresno State as a student-athlete was extremely instrumental to the way his future has turned out. He is enjoying the opportunity he has to teach baseball and be involved in his sons' athletic endeavors. Most former Fresno State student-athletes find themselves in promising situations and one thing is for sure, Rothford is still a Bulldog at heart.
