Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, June 29, 2007

Armed and ready to serve Sox pitcher

Nick Hill adjusting to life in the NW League after graduating from West Point

By Nick Patterson, Herald Writer

 EVERETT - Nick Hill is just like any other Northwest League baseball player. The Everett AquaSox pitcher is trying to acclimate to life as a professional, he's constantly fine tuning his game, and he dreams of one day making it to the big leagues.

There's just one difference.

When the season ends Hill trades in the uniform of his baseball team for that of his country.

As a recent graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point - best known as Army - Hill is in the unique situation of having obligations both to his baseball team, as well as the U.S. Army.

"We're kind of getting the best of both worlds, really, getting to serve and pursue our dream of playing baseball," Hill said. "So it's pretty nice."

Hill is the greatest pitcher in Army's history. The 6-foot, 190-pound left-hander from Bluff City, Tenn., established 46 school and Patriot League records during a career in which he was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Year three times. This spring as a senior he went 7-3 with a 1.91 ERA, striking out 100 in 842/3 innings. When the Seattle Mariners selected him in the seventh round of the June draft, it was the highest an Army player had ever been taken.

So far his pro career is off to a smooth start. Going into Thursday night's game at Tri-City, Hill had appeared in three games in relief and had yet to surrender a run in 42/3 innings.

"I've got out of the innings all right, so I can't complain about that," said Hill, who considers himself a control pitcher with a fastball that tops out at about 90 mph. "I've got a lot to work on as far as getting ahead, but I guess for my first times out I'll take it."

However, if not for a recent change in the Army's rules, Hill might not have gotten the chance to pursue his baseball dreams.

Graduates from the military academies are required to serve five years of active duty following graduation. In the past athletes have not been exempt from this rule. The highest profile example was when former NBA star David Robinson graduated from the Naval Academy. Robinson served for two years before having his final three years exempted, thus delaying his entrance into the NBA.

However, in an effort to improvement recruitment, West Point enacted the Department of the Army's Alternative Service Option in 2005. Under that program, athletes who sign professional contracts are allowed to serve their first two years of active duty as recruiters based in locations convenient to their playing careers, then serve the remaining years in the reserves.

The program was instituted to help recruiting, both of athletes and cadets. Top athletes are more inclined to consider West Point if allowed to pursue their professional ambitions after graduation, and prominent alumni athletes help serve as inspiration to those considering enrolling as cadets.

Hill is one of the fortunate few able to take advantage of the program so far. Two other baseball players, one football player and one hockey player are also currently involved in the program.

"I'm real fortunate I came in at the right time." Hill said. "If I hadn't, I still had a heck of a time at West Point. I'm just grateful that they've given me this opportunity to keep playing.

"During the season our main job is to focus on baseball and play," Hill explained. " (The recruiting) is what we'll do in the offseason, put our focus toward the Army while we're working out for baseball as well."

It's been an unexpected journey for Hill, who never envisioned himself as a soldier while growing up.

"Absolutely not," Hill answered when asked whether he intended to attend West Point. "Not even until they recruited me did I even consider it.

"It was a little bit of a cultural shock in some ways," Hill added. "But the people up there are unbelievable. The other students and teammates I had pulled together and we were able to get through that place."

The athletes at West Point aren't treated any different than the other cadets. Hill never had to go straight from training manuevers to the practice field - military field training takes place during the summer. But during baseball season he did endure 18-hour days with little or no free time.

Having survived that routine, Hill believes he's well prepared for what lies ahead in baseball, even with his commitments to the Army.

"I had a lot on my plate at West Point, so having to balance all that stuff I think I'm prepared for anything that's thrown at me right now," Hill said. "I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to keep playing and the challenges ahead."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA