Jim Martin, a red shirt junior baseball player, was awarded the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Div. II Preseason All-South Region this fall.
“The award I received means a lot to me because it means that the work I’ve put into practice is starting to be noticed,” Martin said.
Martin is a native of Ajax, Ontario, Canada. He has been playing baseball since he was four years old. In high school, he played catcher and third base for Ajax High School.
He also played for the Ontario Bluejays travel baseball team throughout high school. The team for which he played participated in many tournaments in Tennessee, which got him noticed by different schools around the state.
Head Coach Brent Fronabarger said he saw how talented Martin was and recruited him to play for Union. Martin came to Union as a freshman to play baseball.
Now, Martin is in his fourth year being first baseman for the Bulldogs. He is a mathematics major.
He said baseball has been a huge part of his life, both at Union and while he was growing up, and that he enjoys the competition of the sport itself as well as the friendships it brings him.
“My favorite part of playing baseball is the chance to bond with all the players on the team and have fun competing and improving my abilities,” Martin said.
Martin’s baseball career has been successful while playing for Union.
Last year, he had 32 runs batted in, led the team in highest batting average and home runs, and worked hard to improve his skills and motivate his teammates.
“He won this award because of his work ethic. He is always at the field or in the turf room trying to better his skills,” said sophomore pitcher Trae Bain.
Bain said he looks up to the example that Martin has set both on and off the field when it comes to practice and studying.
“He’s a great teammate and leader on and off the field,” Bain said.
Senior third baseman Wacey Russell has known Martin since their freshmen year. Martin is not only a friend to him but also someone that Russell said he respects as a teammate and ball player.
Russell said Martin is always focused and determined when it comes to his baseball career.
“He’s very respectful and a good teammate to play with,” Russell said. “He’s a good role model for the underclassmen and he plays hard, showing toughness by continuing to improve his skills.”
FIND IT ONLINE
Support the Bulldogs at any home game this season to see Jim Martin in action. Log on to www.uuathletics.com/schedule to see when upcoming home games take place.
