Zuba pitches for spotlight

Joseph Lyle
Junior Creative Editor

“It is one of the easiest positions to learn from your mistakes,” said marketing major Nicholas Zuba. “It’s not a mistake if you don’t learn from it.”

The 20 year old pitcher has been playing baseball since the age of four. Zuba said he loves to be the center of attention when he plays baseball.

Baseball is his father’s favorite sport and therefore helped fuel Zuba’s love for the game. Zuba said, “I was a one sport athlete.” Meaning he never played any other sports.

“I enjoy all the little meanings that [go] along with baseball. Not just the game itself, but the hidden lessons you learn,” Zuba said. He explained these lessons were respect, courtesy and teamwork.

According to Zuba, teamwork is one of the most important lessons a player can learn from the sport. Last season, he pitched 44.2 innings and had 26 strikeouts. Zuba had 5.24 strikeouts per game.

Zuba is currently in his fifth semester at Hudson Valley. He came to the college two years ago, but he didn’t start playing baseball until his second year.

The pitcher first attended Buffalo, but he ultimately decided that it wasn’t the best fit for him. Zuba said his love for Hudson Valley stems from the ease of preparation and the faculty.

Zuba wasn’t always a marketing major. He started out his studies as an exercise major. Zuba later decided he wanted to go for something different instead, marketing. He found that marketing suited him best. He also said that his family has worked in marketing.

After Hudson Valley, Zuba plans to transfer to a four-year school. Zuba is looking at schools close to the area. He will be continuing his studies to obtain a bachelors in marketing.

Through his experience, the baseball player developed a system to manage his athletics and academics. Zuba and his team make trips to the lower level of the library for study sessions.

The players have an unwritten rule that they must spend five hours a week studying. Zuba appreciates the open-availability for Learning Assistance Center workers.

When he’s not playing or studying, Zuba spending his free time hanging out with friends and family. He spends a lot of time in the athletic department clubhouse where he and his friends tend to play ping pong and video games.

Through all of his pursuits, Zuba said he strives to improve himself. He is always looking for some way to get better at baseball or his academics.

Zuba said pitcher is the best position for him on the team. As a pitcher, Zuba is able to play in every inning. He also likes that he’s able to interact with every player on the team.

Zuba mentioned acting in the position requires a reciprocal trust with the team. He said pitchers must have their teammates ready for whatever throw they devise.

As pitcher, Zuba said he has a lot of pressure on him. It is his job to make sure that the batter on the opposing team is unable to hit the ball. He understands that failure is always lurking and that no one is perfect.