African-American History Month Spotlight: Jack Jones, Baseball
By Sam Baldwin (@ZipsSam / @ZipsBB) Feb. 18, 2014, Baseball
Jack Jones came to The University of Akron in the fall of 1974 for an education. Before coming to UA, he had only known of Akron by childhood idol and former Zips basketball player Harvey Glover. A native of East Orange, N.J., Jones said, “I started to get to know the university through a guidance counselor back in high school, and I figured I would give Akron a try.”
Jones believed in receiving an education above all else. He says he was never highly recruited for athletics out of high school and didn’t have major intentions of playing college baseball. Eventually, he joined the Akron baseball team as a walk-on freshman for former head coach David Fross’ squad in 1975. Jones excelled in his opportunity with the Zips, as he batted .338 and was the team’s first basemen throughout the season. “I just wanted to play ball,” Jones said.
However, a collision at first base at the end of his freshman campaign would force him to miss the entire 1976 season. Jones bounced back following his rehabilitation in 1977 by starting at first base and leading the team with a .311 batting average. He was able to repeat the feat in 1978, hitting at a .329 clip.
In 1979, Jones moved to right field, and did so at his own request to give the team the best chance for success. At the time Coach Fross said of the change, “It was an unselfish quest to strengthen our defense.” Jones not only aided the Akron outfield defense, he also hit three homeruns and increased production in runs, walks and runs batted in. The Zips finished the season with a 26-18 record and went to the NCAA Tournament, the first postseason berth in program history.
Jones, who was voted team captain from 1978-79, earned several accolades in his time at Akron. He was most notably named UA’s Athlete of the Year in 1979, the first Akron baseball player to earn the award. “As captain the last two years, “JJ” has been a true catalyst in our rise to success,” coach Fross said at the time. “He was a dynamic, take-charge player who unselfishly gave of himself for the good of the team.”
Now Jones remains in the Akron-Canton area, working as a retail manager at Levin Furniture. He has a son and daughter who have gone on to become a pilot and teacher, respectively. He still keeps up with the Akron baseball program when he can, and remains friends with former teammates to this day.
When asked about the advice he would give to young athletes, Jones said, “Number one thing is to focus on is school, and also to dedicate yourself to your academics, your sport and your health. The work ethic learned through athletics will help throughout all parts of life, and I’m glad I was given that opportunity at Akron.”
Baseball visits with Mason Community Learning Center students...
By Sam Baldwin (@ZipsSam / @ZipsBB) Feb. 10, 2014, Baseball
A few members of the Akron Zips baseball team visited the Mason Community Learning Center on Monday afternoon for an after-school Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Assistant coach Fred Worth opened the visit with a talk to the students about succeeding in life through academics. “School will help you become the best you can possibly be,” coach Worth said in his speech.
Following Worth’s discussion, Pat Dyer, James Sheltrown, Brady Stewart and Devan Ahart were able to share their experiences in school and their baseball careers. Some of the inspired students even acknowledged that they want to have a future in collegiate athletes.
Before the team left, each student received a University of Akron winter hat and a “Hitmen for the Mob” t-shirt.
The countdown to the season opener is down to just four days, as the team heads south to Rock Hill, S.C., this coming weekend (Feb. 14-16) for a three-game set vs. Winthrop University.
Just before the team left for practice, coach Worth and the players got the students to give their most boisterous "Go Zips!" chant.
Former Zip Chris Bassitt making waves with White Sox...
By Sam Baldwin (@ZipsSam / @ZipsBB) Jan. 24, 2014, Baseball
Former Zips baseball player Chris Bassitt has made quite a name for himself since being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. The White Sox announced on Tuesday that Bassitt will be a non-roster invitee during spring training for the club, a well-deserved recognition following an outstanding season.
In 2013, Bassitt committed to a starting role in the White Sox farm system. He went 11-4 with a 3.08 ERA over the season at Chicago’s High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham squads. The native of Toledo, Ohio collected 138 strikeouts over 26 starts, the most strikeouts in the organization. His accomplishments earned him a trip to the MLB Arizona Fall League All Star Game.
Bassitt’s climb through the organization was also crucial to the Birmingham Baron’s playoff run that ended with a Southern League Championship in 2013. He earned the series-opening start, and responded without allowing a run over 5.2 innings to go along with seven strikeouts. Bassitt is one of six former Zips baseball players to be drafted since 2003.
The Tropical days of fall...
By Sam Baldwin (@ZipsSam / @ZipsBB) Oct. 10, 2013, Baseball
Hawaiian shirts of all different colors dotted Lee R. Jackson Field this afternoon as Akron baseball took the field for fall practice. To shake things up, the players decided to don their tropical gear for a beautiful day in Akron.
Akron baseball is preparing for the fast approaching Fall World Series, a five-game intrasquad series set to begin on Friday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. on Lee R. Jackson Field. Prior to the beginning of the Series, the Zips wil have an exhibition contest against the Toronto Mets, which is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m.
More Hawaiian fun...
Fall Practice in Full Swing for Baseball
By: Sam Baldwin (@ZipsSam(Sept. 11, 2013), Baseball
Zips baseball is back on the diamond as the team started fall practices this week. On Monday, head coach Rick Rembielak spoke about the fall practices, his incoming players and the 2013 Fall World series coming up in October.
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