Jake Doyle: Giants right fielder and Ivy-Leaguer having fun

By Chris Miracle

Staff Writer

HOLYOKE - Holyoke Giants right fielder Jake Doyle is the subject of this weekπs Q & A. The sophomore at Yale University was selected as the New England Collegiate Baseball League Player of The Week recently.

In 18 games with the Giants (as of July 4), the 6π2≤, 205-pound Doyle is hitting .295 (18-for-61) with 10 runs scored, four doubles, three home runs, and 11 RBI. He has made three errors in 40 chances for a fielding percentage of .925 with one assist.

As a freshman at Yale, the Wilmington, Delaware native hit .321 in 38 games and did not commit an error in 66 chances. Doyle was second on the Bulldogs with 10 doubles and fourth with 22 RBI.

This is Doyleπs first season with the Giants.

Your thoughts on being named player of the week?

≥Itπs definitely an honor, but the fact that we have been winning is the main point. I didnπt even know until my dad called me. I really donπt look on the Internet a whole lot. Everyone is concerned a little bit with individual stats, but not nearly as much as winning. The week went well. I felt like I was swinging the bat really well.≤

What is your approach or mindset to hitting?

≥In comparison to the college season, I was really a free swinger. I wasnπt being patient at the plate. I seem to be learning a lot more about taking pitches (in the NEBL) and putting a lot of counts full, which is good. I think I have been learning a lot and picking up on pitcher tendencies. I have eight or nine walks compared to one at this point last season, which I am happy about.≤

Any goals you set for yourself in your first season with the Giants?

≥Just keep playing hard and keep having fun. Itπs a long season, but you have to have fun or you will tire yourself out. This team is a great team. We have a great time and play hard.≤

What has been the key to the Giantsπ balanced play so far this season?

≥I think we have had a lot of timely hitting. You donπt always get the runs in, but more than not we have done it. And almost every time we have put bunts down when we need to move runners over. Weπre playing small ball, and when we need the big hits we have them.≤

What is your favorite part of playing baseball?

≥I donπt have a favorite part. I like everything: the crowd, the atmosphere, the kids staying after the game to talk to you. Everything about it is a great time. It was surprising at first because you are not used to all these people coming up to you and giving autographs, giving away bats. Weπre making the people happy and we are happy at the same time.≤

To this point, who is the toughest pitcher you have faced?

≥There is a closer for Keene (Swampbats) that has something like 21 strikeouts in 10 innings. He is a hard throwing righty. I think he throws 93-95 miles per hour. He is probably the toughest guy we have seen so far.≤

It may be obvious (Doyle hits righty), but what is better for you: left-handed or right-handed pitching?

≥I actually have had more success with right-handed pitching, which is surprising because a lefty is usually a better match-up. For some reason, I have had more trouble with lefties.≤

What is the best park in the league to hit in?

≥Keene is one of them. If you are a righty and have some power, the ball goes over easily. It is a pretty short porch. That is the first park that stands out in my mind. Our park is pretty hard to get the ball out of. The fence is high. So ourπs is probably the hardest and Keene the easiest.≤

How would you describe your swing?

≥I would say that I am very focused and aggressive, but not overly aggressive like I used to be, which was my problem. My mindset is I have three shots and I am swinging hard each time. If I strikeout with a good swing, I am not as disappointed as I would be with taking a lazy swing. If you get out looking and itπs not a strike, that is the worst thing you can do.≤

Being an economics major at Yale, what are some non-baseball aspirations and future baseball hopes?

≥It might be the obvious, but to play pro ball after my senior year. That is my ultimate goal. I would love to play as long as I can. I donπt want to force anything, but as long as I can play, I will play. Non-baseball ã someday I think I would like to open my own business, maybe a restaurant.≤

How would you rate your level of play now and what you need to do to get to that (pro) level?

≥I think I need to hit a little more consistently. I need to fine tune some things and get used to adjusting to faster pitching, the high 80s and low 90s. I think that is something guys get used to once you see it everyday. Itπs not easy at all. It is a game of failure. The mental approach is also very important.≤

What is hardest part of playing right field?

≥The hardest part is when itπs a little bit hazy out and the lights are on, maybe a little bit of wind. It is hard to see the ball and you are trying to read the spin off a ball of, say, a righty.≤

What do you prefer, aluminum or wood bats?

≥I think the wood bat is just a more pure game. It makes it more of a skill game instead of hitting fly balls for home runs that would never go out with wood. And it mimics the pros so you can compare yourself and see where you need to be to get to the next level. I like my swing with wood more than aluminum.≤

What are some of Jake Doyleπs interests or hobbies?

≥I like to play guitar, playing cards (Texas holdπem), and cars (favorite is a Ferrari). I like all types of music and play the acoustic guitar right now.≤

Who is the person in history you would most like to meet and why?

≥That is a tough question. I think I would say like a lot of other people, Jesus, just to see what it was really like back then and see which theory or movie about him is correct. That would be the first choice that comes to mind. My family is Baptist. I am religious and believe in God, but I am not against any other sect. I am open-mined to other religions. You can say I am very liberal about which religion is correct.≤