No baseball journey is the same, as players come from different paths in pursuing the same destination: the opportunity to play at the highest level. One of those players who is hitting the cover off the ball so far this summer is the Palm Beach Snowbirds’ John Doty. Doty, the first baseman who typically bats third in Coach TJ Wharton’s lineup, has been the Snowbirds’ most consistent hitter, sporting a .545 average with 12 hits in 22 at-bats, 4 RBIs, and 4 runs. Doty’s gap-to-gap power mixed with this aggressiveness early in counts has made him a force to be reckoned with, as he has made pitchers pay with his swing. I got the chance to interview him about what has made him successful so far this summer, as I have first-hand knowledge of his approach as his teammate/interviewer.
All right, John, thank you for taking time out of your day to be interviewed. First, where are you from? And how did you find out about the CLPB?
Well, I’m originally from Urbandale, Iowa. I went to North Iowa Community College and I heard about this league through my coach Drew Sanns. Yeah, actually, he was the head coach and then he left the team to go coach for the Texas Rangers.
That’s good. Now how is your experience been so far with the CLPB, and what’s it like playing with the Snowbirds?
It’s been really good. I mean, obviously, the ‘Birds are hot. The energy in the dugout is amazing. I mean, I couldn’t have asked for better. Yeah, I mean, I really liked the guys and compared it to all the other teams. I definitely wouldn’t have chosen any other team besides this one, especially with TJ [Wharton] as a coach. I mean, helping doing all the things that I know are things I should work on. And obviously, [assistant coach] Austin [Harper]’s pretty cool too.
That’s good. Now you’ve been hitting the ball very well, this summer. You’re hitting .556 in 18 at-bats, you got a few RBIs. What is your hitting approach when you step up to the plate and what’s been working for you?
Well, so at the start of the season, I planned on being a super offensive hitter where I just jump on the pitcher super early. I didn’t give them a lot of breathing room. I kind of lost that approach a little bit through the middle part. I think it was I went like two for four once in a game and I kind of let the umpires decide the at-bat which I hate doing. I always know I’m on when I attack the first pitch and most of my hits always come from swinging at the first pitch and swinging at the fastball, or even being able to sit on a first-pitch curveball. That’s what really helps me hit the ball well.
Yeah, that’s definitely been working out for you so far. Now, this will be your second year coming up at Northern Iowa Area Community College. Do you have any goals as far as a target college after NIACC or maybe a specific division you’re looking for? And has the CLPB helped you in any way trying to achieve that goal?
Yeah, I mean, obviously, Division One is the goal. I went to a JUCO because I wanted to go Division One. And actually, my coach for the CLPB has already reached out to a couple of colleges for me and hopefully, I can make connections there. I don’t really have a specific school that I would want to go to. I’m really open to anywhere that wants me to play ball.
That’s awesome. Listen, I know about the grind of JUCO—I’ve never been to one, but I’ve heard stories and I know a lot of people that do. You were highly touted in high school in Waukee, but then you go into a different environment where all these guys who have great talent are doing the same thing trying to look for a D1 offer. How were you able to put your nose to the grindstone and get after it every day trying to get better in such a tough environment?
Yeah, I mean, a lot of the credit goes to North Iowa Area Community College. I mean, we probably have the most freedom to do what we specifically need to do to get better. It’s a super individually focused college and the environment is insane with velocity days, trying to hit the ball harder and trying to hit home runs. We try to hit the ball really far, and we obviously did that this year as we hit I think it was around 110 home runs. Our coaches really let us like do our own thing and it’s a super special environment. I really love being there. And I loved the teammates that I had last year and I’m sure it’ll be the same next year.
That’s awesome. I wish you good luck on your journey. Now, last question. Do you feel the Snowbirds can make a run to the championship? Do you think you and your team can get it done? And how do you plan to help your team win?
Of course, I mean, the ‘Birds are hot! We’re a scrappy team. I mean, besides [my teammate] Danny [Axson], we haven’t really hit a long ball yet. So my goal is to obviously just spray balls into the gaps and not try to do too much and not try to be a superhero every game. I try to really trust my teammates and hope that they do the best because a lot of my success comes from being a big voice in the dugout and helping my teammates with whatever they might need. So that’s going to be my role as we try and win at all.
Doty is definitely a player to watch as we move forward this summer. Don’t count him and the Snowbirds out!