Senior Jimmy Chwalek is committed to Kalamazoo College for baseball. While also competing at a high level for the Warriors this season, Jimmy excels in the classroom being a senior scholar. Chwalek plans on making another deep playoff run and hopefully ending back up at McLane stadium for another shot at the state title. Most importantly, Chwalek wants to have fun playing his last high school season ever before heading off to continue his craft at the college level.
How did you get started playing baseball?
I have been playing baseball my whole life. When I was 1 I was introduced to the sport and when I was 3, I played in my first organized league. Since then I have been playing baseball every year and I have been developing my skills throughout the years.
What position do you play, and why do you enjoy playing it?
I am primarily a pitcher. I enjoy pitching because I am good at it and it is something that I have been doing my whole life. I also play first base which is a fun position to play because I am involved in almost every play in the game.
What’s your favorite memory or highlight from playing baseball?
My favorite memory from playing baseball is playing in the state championship. I enjoyed playing with my friends in Lansing and it was a once in a lifetime experience. Even though we came up short I will always remember that moment because not many people get to experience it.
How do you balance schoolwork and your commitment to the team?
It is not very difficult for me to balance my schoolwork and baseball because I make sure to get all of my homework done while I am in school so I don’t have to worry about it later. It is important to prioritize school over everything else because grades and education are the most important.
What are your goals for this season and beyond?
My only goal for the rest of my career is just to enjoy what I am doing because everything else will fall into place after that. As soon as you start to have fun with what you’re doing then you will play better.
How do you handle the pressure of playing in important games?
I just make sure to control my breathing and I try not to think about what may go wrong. Instead, I think about what I can do right. Once your thoughts are clouded by negativity then everything will start to spiral, which is not ideal. So it is important to keep a level head so that you can relax and stay in the zone.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a baseball player?
The most challenging aspect of being a baseball player is keeping my body intact for the season. It is very difficult to stay healthy because there are so many unnatural movements and it is surprisingly taxing. I have been in and out of physical therapy for years now and it is very difficult to stay in good physical condition all the time.
How do you stay motivated and focused during practices and games?
I stay motivated and focused for practice and games by not taking them too seriously. When I get tense I tend to not do as well so I try to stay level-headed so that I can play well.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to play baseball at a high level? Only do it if you are 100% sure you want to move on to the next level. If you are unsure about the commitment then it may be time to think of other options. But if you are serious about playing at the next level then try your best and work as hard as possible to reach your goals.
Who is your favorite baseball player and why?
My favorite baseball player is Trevor Bauer because I like his energy and I enjoy watching him play. I have been watching him for a while now and I can learn a lot from him and how he plays.
