Heraldnet.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009 9:29 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Double Team
Football Final: Issaquah 48, Jackson 28
Blog
Nick Patterson
Seattle 4, Everett 0
Meet the
2009 Silvertips
Latest gallery

Seahawks vs. Lions W 32-20
November 8. 2009 (15 photos)
[More Herald photos]
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Saturday
Two dead, two injured in Lynnwood car wreck
Accident near Poulsbo kills Marysville man, inj...
Icy conditions lead to numerous wrecks on count...
Friday


Salish Sea: Huge body of water now has common n...
Cost of dispute falls on Monroe
Lawsuit blames county and weed inspector in man...
Thursday


Nursed to health by volunteers in Lynnwood, sea...
Everett boy left with brain damage; father face...
Monroe must fill $290,000 gap in budget
Wednesday


81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored...
USO singer's voice still charms them in Edmonds
Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme C...
Tuesday


Fire destroys Emory's restaurant
Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first
Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back?
Monday


Tree clearing, mud slide angers Everett neighbor
Later start for school day unlikely in Marysville
Hopes for Snohomish excursion train may hinge o...
Sunday


Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win ...
Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 ...
Cities across south Snohomish County see tax re...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sports   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge)
Sox pitcher Nick Hill throws during a recent practice.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.)
E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com
Kevin Brown, Sports Editor
kbrown@heraldnet.com
 
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

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."

1. Lake Stevens neighbors protest loss of left turn off Highway 9
2. Police look into fire at Emory's restaurant in Everett
3. Man who died from fall identified
4. Mural memorializing fallen soldier lost in effort to fix Silvana building
5. Marysville-Pilchuck comes up short in battle of unbeatens
6. 'Twilight' tourism
7. Accident near Poulsbo kills Marysville man, injures five
8. In Forks, it's always Twilight
9. Expect wintry roads at passes, dusting of snow on Snohomish County hills
10. Icy conditions lead to numerous wrecks on county roads
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Memorial for Peggy Pritchard Olson set
Bazaar Fever
Hawks proud of historic season
Olson always put Edmonds first
Honoring student veterans
‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop
Mavs build early lead en route to easy win
Prep football games of the week (state playoffs)
Tears of laughter, tears of grief
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


Buffet Dining
Tulalip Resort

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket

Come and Relax
Monthly Specials

Free Garlic Bread/Free Soda
Click here for details!

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

$5 OFF
Lunch or Dinner

Pacific Northwest
Fresh Cuisine

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

Family Night Free Sundae
$9.99 Prime Rib

20% off Click Here*
Buy 1 Offer Click Here*

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients

FREE Appetizer w/
purchase of 2 entrees

Free Dessert!
Click here!

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!

Great Food
24 Hours a Day

15% Off Your
First Time Purchase

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

FREE Appetizer with any
purchase daily 2-6pm

$5 Off
Stylecut

50% off 2nd Pizza
Special Click Here!

All you can Eat Buffets
Angel of the Winds

$2 OFF
at Box Office

QuadraFire Save $250
Free Smart-Stat
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT