SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime. For college baseball players, it is a time for development. In summer 2015, 15 Santa Clara baseball players are competing for 12 different teams from the Bay Area to New England. The "All Summer Long" series, in its fifth season, chronicles these Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide.
After a redshirt season to start his tenure on the Mission campus, Matt Smithwick is a fixture in the Alameda Merchants lineup this summer. The Danville, Calif. native leads the Merchants with six home runs and ranks third on the team with 25 RBIs. SantaClaraBroncos.com caught up with Smithwick to discuss getting back on the diamond.
Matt Smithwick – Alameda Merchants – Alameda, Calif.
SantaClaraBroncos.com (SCB): After a redshirt freshman season, how have you liked getting back on the field for game competition?
Matt Smithwick (MS): It has felt great to get back on the field. It's awesome to finally be able to get in on the action and not just watch from the dugout. Though the redshirt year was an amazing learning experience for me, nothing beats getting out on the field.
SCB: What did you learn from being out of game competition for your first year at Santa Clara that you have applied to this summer?
MS: I have learned a lot about the mental side of the game. Primarily, I have applied many of the philosophies presented in our "Baseball 101" team meetings and have been seeing some success as a result. These have really helped me to relax more on the field.
SCB: Through the end of July, you lead the team with six home runs. What's working for you at the plate?
MS: I have really been working on attacking my pitch. Early in the count, when I get a pitch in my zone, I have been focused on putting a good swing on it and finding the barrel.
SCB: How often do you touch base with the Santa Clara coaches over summer and what do you talk about?
MS: So far, I've talked twice over the phone with coaches. We have talked about everything from family and friends to baseball. In regards to baseball, I have talked with Coach Beauregard about working on some things at the plate and some simple mechanical fixes.
SCB: How would you describe the level of competition with the teams you and the Merchants have faced this summer?
MS: The competition has been pretty solid. We have played a lot of good teams and seen a lot of good players. It has been great meeting players from all over the country and hearing about their respective schools.
All Summer Long 2015
Matt Smithwick
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