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Hopkins finds happy medium in baseball, life
For someone with a batting average over .400 about halfway through the season, Haymarket third-baseman Greg Hopkins certainly has put the game of baseball in perspective.After all, a bad day at the park still beats a good day recovering from intestinal surgery.
"That's where I kind of felt kind of you can't take things for granted," said the league's second-ranked hitter.
The Haymarket Senators' lethal weapon, Hopkins is the complete offensive package.
Going into last week's all-star game he was batting for average (.411) and power (tied for first in the Valley Baseball League in doubles, second in triples, and third in total bases). He can perform in the clutch (.642 slugging) and led the league in number of hits (39).
Hopkins started all 24 games the Senators (12-12) played so far this year and earned a nod to this year's all-star team along with teammates Zeth Stone, Jack Leathersich, Matt Benedict and returning veteran Grant Sasser.
Even defensively, Hopkins stands out as he's fifth in the Valley Baseball League in assists with 61.
Yet, for all his accolades, the sophomore right-hander from St. John's University holds a balanced equilibrium.
Stopping to chat for a phone interview before heading out with teammates to Buffalo Wild Wing restaurant in Gainesville, the Massachusetts native spoke about why he tries to always think positively.
"I just try to have fun with everything I do off the field too," he said.
Simply enjoying his outings on the field while minimizing personal pressure is a trait that has helped him endure a grueling summer schedule where his team plays almost daily.
Because of rescheduled rain-outs, Haymarket ended up competing 13 days in a row without a break before July 4.
This is a fortunate situation for Hopkins, considering what his colleagues have gone through.
Take for instance his teammate from St. John's, Matt Tosoni.
When Hopkins was a freshman, he developed a friendship with the then-fifth-year senior who had recovered from uclerative colitis.
Tosoni had his entire large intestine removed but managed to persevere, coming back to the Red Storm where he eventually developed as a pitcher good enough to play for Team Canada.
"He had it going for him," said Hopkins. "He was throwing against some [would be] big-leaguers."
Talking with his teammate about life in general helped Hopkins refocus his own thinking and allowed him to just concentrate on being even-keeled mentally.
"That's what I've been really thinking about a lot this summer and this past year," said the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder.
He also said the car crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart in April caused him to realize he can't take things for granted.
On the field, Hopkins started the year in his zen-like state by placing himself on the same level with the rest of the league.
"Everyone starts at the same place. Everybody's batting zero," he said.
Hitting coach Mike Martin worked to Hopkins' strengths as he did not alter his batting stance or swings as much he offered small insights. For instance, he suggested Hopkins keep the center of his weight in the middle of his crouch.
"He doesn't really tinker with anything physically. I like to talk to him about the mental part of the game and the approach part of the game," said Hopkins.
The hitter stressed the importance of letting bad outings slide off his shoulders this year, though with a .411 average, he hasn't had too many of them. Though he recently put up a 0-4 performance in a losing effort to Staunton, where he struck out three times and grounded into a double play.
At Haymarket's next game against Luray, however, Hopkins ended up driving in a run that brought the game to within one run before his former St. John's teammate Tom La Stella clocked the go-ahead, game-winning homer.
But through it all, Hopkins strives to become perhaps the most laid-back batting champion Haymarket has ever known.
"You've got to be alright on both ends, you know? You can't be so high strung with just baseball," he said.
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