For J.T. Waldie of Methuen, leaving basketball and football behind to play baseball at Gordon College wasn't an easy decision to make. The deciding factor was his passion for baseball, a feeling he didn't get from playing basketball or football.
Challenges still await for the incoming junior. Last season, he witnessed his team fall 10 games under .500 (12-22), which was better than ther 2007 season (8-19). Waldie, playing in all 34 of Gordon's games, batted .286 last season with 17 runs scored, a home run, 15 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.
In between, working baseball camps and preparing for next season, Waldie had some time to go Around the Horn.
Before attending Gordon College, what was your greatest athletic memory at Methuen High School? "I would say just going into the Methuen/Central Catholic basketball game my senior year. We had so many fans at the game, and I had never played in front of that many people before. It was a real experience for me."
What made you choose Gordon College? "I would have to say that it was a good school for me. Gordon is a good Christian school and I was really interested in following that."
What has it been like going to the only Christian school in New England? "It is very different from a lot of the other schools around this area. It's been a great experience for me, and I have really enjoyed it so far. I have a lot of friends there and it has been a great spot for me."
What was it like following your sister, Meredith, into high school because of what she had done from an athletic standpoint? "It was really cool when she accomplished all she did, but it wasn't really a competition or anything for me. I just wanted to do my own thing, play sports, and have fun while doing it.
Did you look up to her at all in the process? "I looked up to her a little bit. She was a big senior and I was a little freshman, but she took care of me and I appreciated her for it."
What is Meredith up to these days? "She works for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Quincy. It's been really good for her and she is now living out there."
What has been the biggest challenge going from high school baseball to college Div. III? "The biggest challenge is not so much the skill level, but making the adjustment to everyday college life. Off the field, you have a lot of school work to do. On the field, you start over, because you need to learn how the people on your new team play."
If there was one bit of advice that your father would give you now, what would it be? "He would just tell me to love God and to do my best no matter what I'm doing."
What are you doing to improve your game for next season? "I'm going to work even harder during this offseason. I also need to get more mentally focused, because baseball is so different from any other sport where it is mostly mental. Team-wise, we are all going to work hard and hopefully get it going next year."
Are you playing baseball over the summer to help for next season? "I'm playing for the Rockingham County Firebirds in the North Shore Baseball League. It's going pretty well. I've met a lot of new people and, even though we aren't the greatest team in the league, I'm having fun and toning up my skills."
Working over the summer? "I'm doing a couple of camps for Lawrence Academy in Groton. I did a baseball one and next I'm doing a mix of all sports."
When you are alone, what is one thing you enjoy doing the most? "Definitely watching TV."
What is J.T. Waldie's biggest pet peeve? "I do have a good one and it's when people don't get my name right. Like when they say T.J. or something instead of J.T."
What is your favorite part of being a college student? "Living with my friends at school. We get to hang out all the time and it's great."
Least favorite part? "Definitely how much school work they give you in college. It's tough, man."
Time to tell us your favorites-movie, website, food, musical act, and song? "'Apocalypto"; facebook; chicken bacon ranch sub from Subway; Rage Against the Machine and Simple Man by Lynard Skynard."
