Fresno State Athletics
Living A Life-Long Dream
4/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
What would it be like to spend your entire life roaming the green grass of a baseball diamond with a pearly white ball resting in the pocket of your glove? It probably would be something like heaven.
Just ask senior outfielder Jason Papi. He knows what it is like to wake up to the crack of the bat and play catch after the sun disappears beyond the horizon. Papi's father, Ken, is a former Bulldog who has been the baseball coach at Fresno High School for 30 years. His uncle, Stan, played for five years in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.
"Basically everybody in the family plays baseball," Papi said. "I remember being a young kid when I was the bat boy for my dad's teams. It was so much fun. I've grown up on the baseball field and enjoyed it."
Just like many players before him, Papi had dreams playing for head coach Bob Bennett at Pete Beiden Field. Unfortunately, he was not recruited out of high school to play for the Bulldogs. However, he did not give up on his dream, taking his 5-foot-10 frame to Fresno City College. Under the direction of head coach Ron Scott, Papi moved to the outfield from first base, the position he played at Hoover High School. In a Rams uniform, Papi hit .330 with nine doubles as a freshman and .370 with 15 doubles and three triples as a sophomore. He also earned second-team All-Central Valley Conference honors in both of his seasons.
Playing at Fresno City enabled Papi to polish his skills and ultimately achieve his goal of suiting up in Bulldog red and blue.
"It was a really good experience," Papi said. "I got the opportunity to play a lot and it was especially exciting when we won the CVC title my sophomore year."
Papi is now an experienced senior who is baseball smart. He said he makes every effort to help the team win, whether it is offensively or defensively. However, his leadership is the most important quality he contributes to the team.
"I think leadership is very important," Papi said. "I've learned what it's like to go through struggles, so when I see another guy feeling down, I just try to keep him loose and maybe crack some jokes. Taking the responsibility to be a leader also keeps me in the game and helps me stay focused."
Bennett appreciates the example set by Papi. Whether it be with his effort on the field or his comforting voice in the dugout, Papi has contributed mightily to the team's chemistry.
"He provides leadership by his demeanor and his hustle," Bennett said. "It's hard to lead from his position as a reserve, but he still commands respect because of his desire to play the game."
Papi always is prepared to fill in at any moment. He is one of the top left-handed hitters called upon to pinch hit late in games. The southpaw has appeared in nine games this season (one start), going 4-for-10 with three walks, a run scored and one RBI.
"When I'm on the bench, I keep everybody positive and tuned into the game," Papi said. "I know it's possible that Coach Bennett may call on me late in the game. When I get the opportunity to step to the plate, I have to make the most of it and have a good at-bat."
Bennett believes Papi's best skills come with the bat in his hands. However, Bennett has noticed a vast growth in his defense and his speed, something Papi worked hard on in the off-season last summer.
"My outfield play has improved tremendously," Papi said. "All the coaches have helped others and myself work on the mental part of the game as well. I've learned not to let a bad experience or a bad at-bat effect me. Learning to always stay positive has helped me a lot."
With the Bulldogs entering the pivotal part of the WAC schedule, Papi knows his contributions will be even more valuable during the middle of a Bulldog championship run.
"We just want to go out play consistent baseball," Papi said. "We know we have a chance to do something special this year. We don't take anybody lightly and strive to go out and play hard each and every day. I think we're running on all cylinders right now."
Papi, a kinesiology major, was a member of the Dean's List for having at least a 3.5 grade point average in fall 1998. He plans on making teaching and coaching a career. Baseball will always be his first love.
"I want to follow in my dad's footsteps," Papi said. "I love baseball so much and I want to stay in the game. Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity to coach college baseball."
-- Curtis Webb, Fresno State Media Relations
