Villanova senior continues family baseball tradition
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (BVM) — The household of Villanova pitcher Jimmy Kingsbury is filled with pictures such as a drugstore developed four-by-eights with glossy tops, lining shelves, stuffing albums and shoe boxes with bent corners. One picture is Kingsbury’s favorite; at 7 years old, he stands in his White Sox uniform on the Paoli Berwyn Little League Field.
“That is the most special sports memory I have,” Kingsbury said. “My first year of Little League we made it to the championship. Celebrating with my dad who coached me for eight years was amazing.”
Kingsbury follows in the footsteps of his father, William, who pitched for Villanova before being drafted to the Oakland Athletics. Athleticism runs in the family, his mother Maureen was a softball player and his two uncles were both running backs at Villanova. As Kingsbury’s final semester approaches, he is beginning to understand the meaning behind his time at Villanova.
“I have started to have a better understanding of how my parents viewed this school,” Kingsbury said. “It is a bond that I have with them and it makes me appreciate being able to be an athlete here.”
A native of Phoenixville — just 15 minutes from Villanova — he finished his freshman season in 2018 with the most starts and innings pitched by a freshman since head coach Kevin Mulvey took the mound for Villanova. During his sophomore year, he led the pitching staff in wins, ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts and opponent batting average. Pitching against La Salle, he joined his father as Villanova pitchers who have tossed one-hitters in Wildcats history.
With the sudden cancellation of his 2020 junior season, Villanova coaches put out strength and conditioning programs for players to do at home and he continued to work on the slider that he had been practicing before the season was cut short. During quarantine, Kingsbury turned back to his dad which to him was reminiscent of the daily practices and bullpen throws from his childhood. His dad examined his grips and pitches, playing catch in the backyard. Kingsbury said that it made him “feel like a baseball player.”
As his senior baseball season approaches, Kingsbury does not have any particular goals for himself as a player. His focus remains on his team. While this season looks different due to COVID-19, Kingsbury is excited about the increase in conference play. For him, that is where the real fun is.
“I just want to work as hard as I can for the team and make the Big East playoffs,” Kingsbury said.
As for the future, it has long been a dream of his to be selected in the MLB draft like his dad, but a possible fifth year of eligibility may also be an option for him. Mostly, he tries not to think about it and focus on the present.
“I love this game and no matter what I am going to play it as long as I can in whatever way possible,” Kingsbury said.
