Shaw becoming a bulldog at University of Indianapolis
By: Melissa Verge
Canadian Baseball Network
If you’re at a University of Indianapolis baseball game, there might be a bulldog on the mound standing on two legs and chewing on a piece of grape bubble gum. Jake Shaw, a right-handed pitcher for the university, has been given the nickname “the bulldog” by his teammates for his ability to work through tough spots.
“I just work through situations, hopefully, get through situations, and just try to let our team win,” he said.
As for the bubble gum… “During the game, I’ve gotten into a really weird habit, I need grape double bubble, that’s my thing,” Shaw said.
The 21-year old pitcher is in his fourth year at the university and he says he hopes to play baseball at some sort of professional level after he graduates. In his last season with Indianapolis Shaw led the team in strikeouts for the year with 81. He had a 3.89 ERA.
This is the last chance for the native of Grand Bay- Westfield, New Brunswick, to make an impression as he will graduate in the spring. “I’m just mentally realizing that this could be the last shot, so I got to go balls to the wall,” he said.
Shaw started playing baseball at a young age when he was growing up in Grand Bay. “I started playing baseball in my yard with my Dad when I was four years old, and that’s kind of where my passion for throwing stems from. It’s just a part of life now, just like any other activity you enjoy doing except it kind of just turns into life,” he said.
Unlike most professional athletes, Shaw has to balance the demands of university with the demands of staying in shape for the season. He says he’s been working out four times a week to prepare for their first game that is in February. “I’m on a strict throwing program that my coaches have assembled for me.” He says while the balance was a challenge in the beginning, now that he’s a senior everything is falling into place.
However being an athlete at the university level is about more than just staying in shape, it’s also about staying calm in high pressure situations. A big thing for Shaw when dealing with tough spots on the mound is to focus on his breathing. “I’ve been taught at a young age just to control my breathing and let everything happen around me.”
To help with this Shaw says that there are mandatory yoga classes for the players as well as a sports psychologist that comes in to the university.
Shaw also has a pre-game routine that he says starts the night before he takes the mound with food. “I try to load up on the carbs so I eat spaghetti and meatballs or something like that,” he said.
He has a close relationship with his teammates and he says he loves supporting them. “My team is my family, that’s just always kind of been a thing since day one. If someone needs help I support them in any way possible with school, life, baseball, or anything, so that’s what I try to do.”
When the season kicks off in February it will be Shaw’s chance to shine. “This is my last year, hopes are high that I keep going and get drafted or play pro ball somewhere,” he said.