Getting to Know: Grady Harrell
Grady Harrell is a Senior who plays Hockey and Baseball for the Kingsmen. He has committed to Eastern Illinois for Baseball.
Who is your favorite baseball team?: My favorite baseball team is the Cubs. I’ve always liked watching them, and Pete Crow-Armstrong is my favorite player. I think he’s a once-in-a-generation type of player, and I love the energy he brings to the game. He makes the Cubs really fun to watch
Why did you start playing baseball?: My dad is really the reason I started playing baseball. He put me in it at a young age, and since he played in college at Ball State, he introduced me to the game and taught me pretty much everything I know. I just grew up around baseball and ended up falling in love with it.
What kind of training do you do?: I train pretty much year-round. I lift, sprint, hit, throw, work on defense, and do a lot of med ball and explosive work. In the offseason, I really focus on getting stronger and more explosive while improving things like exit velocity, arm strength, speed, and consistency.
What separates you from other athletes?: I believe what separates me from everyone else is working hard, making smart choices, staying out of trouble, and being consistent. I try to never miss workouts or practices, even on the days I don’t feel like going, because I think those are some of the most important days to show up. I think being disciplined and doing the right things every day is what will help me keep getting better and reach the highest level.
Why did you decide to play hockey this year after committing to Eastern Illinois for Baseball?: I decided to keep playing Hockey because I’ve played it for most of my life, and I didn’t want to give it up just because I committed to Eastern Illinois for baseball. I knew this would probably be my last chance to play competitive hockey with my friends. It also gives me a way to get away from Baseball for a little bit, have fun, and not feel like everything I do has to revolve around baseball. Baseball is still my main focus and my future, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t play Hockey one last time.
How does playing Hockey help you get ready for baseball season?: Playing Hockey helps prepare me for Baseball because it keeps me in shape and helps improve my speed, balance, coordination, and explosiveness. It also keeps me competing during the winter instead of only training in the weight room. Mentally, it gives me a break from Baseball so when Baseball season comes around, I feel refreshed and excited to play again.