For James Rogers, his ‘love of the game? began when he was around 3 or 4 years old.
‘I love to play baseball,? said the Oxford High School senior pitcher. ‘It’s just something I’ve always been good at.?
‘He’s a good competitor and he really has a strong work ethic and I think that’s what his core strength is,? added his father Jim. ‘He likes a challenge to try and strike people out too.?
It’s a combination of that love and hard work that has afforded the 6?1, hard-throwing lefty a chance to take the mound at the next level. James signed last week to play for Jackson College, a Division II school.
‘I’m pumped that they gave me a shot and I’m going to do what I can with it,? he said. ‘It’s awesome I get to go onto the next level and hopefully I can go even further.?
James received an athletic scholarship, which will cover most of his tuition costs.
Why Jackson?
‘I got calls from other coaches who wanted me to visit their school, but when I saw Jackson I just thought it was perfect for me,? James said. ‘Everyone seemed real nice. (The coaches) seemed like they cared about your future and what you do after, not just baseball, but life.?
That was also a huge surprise to James? dad as well.
‘I was taken by the fact that these guys do want these young men to succeed and they teach them like sons. They look after them and provide them with all the tools they need to succeed with their academics,? Jim said. ‘Just the fact that they do really care about how they succeed in life I thought ‘wow that it’s nice to see that people still have that type of mindset.?
As far as influences in his life, James listed his parents, sister, his summer coach Mike Kapusnak, who recently passed away and Oxford High School’s Former Head Coach Jeff Willis.
Outside of baseball, he enjoys hanging out with his friends. His favorite team is the Detroit Tigers and his favorite player was Pitcher Drew Smiley, but since he was recently traded, James said he has to go with the beloved ‘Miggy? (Miguel Cabrera).
As the number one recruit for Jackson, which Jim believes is a testimonial to his son’s hard work, integrity and character, he and his wife couldn’t be more proud of their son.
‘He’s got an opportunity to go on to the next level to play baseball and also have a tremendous gift there being left handed and having an athletic scholarship,? he said. Some people work extremely hard, but aren’t able to get these types of opportunities. His summer coaches have also connected us with the right people so they can see his efforts and I think just through a good work ethic and sticking with it, it’s paid off for him.?