Q&A with Niceville baseball player, sophomore Nick Gates
NICEVILLE, Fla. — A Q&A with Nick Gates who is a sophomore at Niceville High School and plays baseball and football.
Name: Nick Gates
Age: 15
Years in current sport: Baseball – 12 years / Football – 4 years
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Nick Gates: My dream is to play in the MLB (major league baseball).
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Gates: My biggest challenge has been hitting. In baseball, hitting is so cyclical. You can have an amazing game or tournament and crush the ball, and then the next game or tournament you can struggle at the plate. You have to constantly continue to work on your swing.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Gates: Only ones who seek success are rewarded.
What do you love about your sport?
Gates: I love the feel of being on the baseball field.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Gates: I always listen to music before my games. I also have a stretch routine, and do every stretch, in the same order every time.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Gates: I enjoy watching sports, collecting baseball cards, and hanging out with my friends.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Gates: Being a member of a team has taught me that it’s not all about you; especially in baseball. There are 8 other guys on the field with you, at the same time. Each player plays a role and contributes to wins.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Gates: Pound the weights.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Gates: The mistake I made was at a young age, I never stretched before games. This led to some elbow and shoulder issues which sidelined me for months. I realized then the importance of a stretching program, especially pre-game, and maintaining arm care year-round.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Gates: ‘Nobody cares, work harder’.
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