TYLER ZUPCIC WAS BORN TO PLAY BASEBALL

Believe it or not, Providence High School senior Tyler Zupcic was not born with a baseball in his hand, it only seems that way.  The 17 year old son of Bob and Becky Zupcic has become one of the top baseball players in the state.  Following graduation next month, Tyler will head to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC to continue his baseball career.
The speedy centerfielder has played well enough this season for Coach Danny Hignight at Providence that most area observers consider him the player of the year in the Southwestern 4A Conference.  In a league with at least three potential major league draft picks (Alex Wood, Richie Shaffer and Chris Overman) that is quite an achievement.
Tyler’s drive to the top began early with a Father-Son game at Fenway Park. When he was three years old the Boston Red Sox hosted a father son game with all the players and their sons.  His Dad Bob was playing for the Red Sox at the time.   Tyler was decked out in his jersey and cleats.

“My most memorable baseball moment came in that game. With batting gloves and bat in hand I stepped up to the plate against Roger Clemens. Yes, he was only pitching from about five feet away and had to underhand it to me(hitting a 95 mph fastball might have been a little hard at three years old) I smacked a base hit off of him and ran what seemed a mile long journey to first base. When I got there I was so tired that I flopped down on the first base and decided to watch the game from there the rest of the day.”

Quite a way to start a baseball career!

Tyler then began playing organized baseball at age five at Olde Providence Recreation Association.

“My current teammate Richie Shaffer and I have been playing together ever since then. Mr. Shaffer and my dad were our coaches and taught us most of the things about baseball that we use today.  Because my dad played professionally I was always around the game and loved every minute of it. He has taught me so much about baseball and I know that without him I could not be the baseball player I am today.”
 
Tyler began to realize in middle school that he could become a very special player if he worked hard.

“The person who really got me started believing I could excel at the next level was my middle school baseball coach at Weddington, Jim Davis. He taught me that if I go out there and work hard every day that nothing would be impossible.”

His drive to be the best continued as he moved to Providence High School his junior year.

“When I got to Providence Coach Hignight instilled the confidence in me that I could compete with anyone as long as I went out and played the game hard every day. He has taught me so many things that have helped me succeed and without him I wouldn’t be the competitive player I am today. “
 
 That confidence has grown with each at bat the last two seasons.  Tyler has become the spark plug for the Panthers. His energy and defense have set the tone all season, allowing Providence to become one of the favorites to win the state title.  With a little luck, solid pitching and strong play from Tyler and others, many believe Providence will become the second consecutive South Charlotte based team to play in the state title game, following Ardrey Kell last season.
 
“There is no doubt in my mind that we have what it takes to contend for a state title. The one thing we have that stands out above all the rest is our team chemistry. We all are the best of friends and will do anything for one another. No matter what happens, we always stick together. When one person is down, we all pick them up. Everyone knows that when go out there and play for each other, we have what it takes to compete.  We try to be the best in everything we do and that all starts with us sticking together.”

Over the last year, Tyler also spent a lot of time researching colleges.  Time and time again, he kept coming back to the offer made by the Appalachian State Baseball Program.
 
“Appalachian State University is a great school and has a wonderful campus. When I went on my first visit over the summer I absolutely fell in love with school. It has such a great tradition in North Carolina and walking around the campus that day with my parents, we all knew that this place was the perfect fit for me. Coach Pollard has given me the opportunity to play for such a great university where I hope to better myself in the classroom as well as on the diamond. My Dad has always told me that my education is the most important thing.”

 Looking back on the past, Tyler is very thankful for all the opportunities he has been given due to baseball.
 
“I love the game of baseball and being able to get the opportunity to go out and compete every day. God has blessed me with talent and I thank him for all the opportunities he has unfolded for me in my life. My parents have always taught me to put him first and through him, nothing is impossible. I want to win every time I step on the baseball field, and by playing hard I believe I give my team a chance to do that every game.”
 
 
 Tyler shared an old saying with us and it certainly fits him like an old glove.

“There is an old saying in baseball “you never know who’s watching” there could be someone in the stands that only will see me play once, and I want leave to leave the field seeing that I gave my very best and left it all out there”

The South Charlotte Sports Report congratulates Tyler Zupcic on a fantastic high school career and we wish him the best in college!  Appalachian State is gaining an outstanding baseball player for sure.