Consistency is a specialty for Jackson Syring.
The Regina Red Sox outfielder flirted with a .400 batting average all season, eventually landing at .404, which was good enough for second in the Western Canadian Baseball League behind Antony Gilbert (.412) of the Brooks Bombers.
Syring also hit seven home runs, drove in 51 runs and stole 10 bases in 50 games for the Red Sox.
It’s a nearly identical campaign to the one he had with Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), where he hit .394 with 12 home runs, 57 RBI and eight stolen bases in 49 games, where he was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Region Second-Team as well as an Academic All-District selection, among other accolades.
For his efforts this summer, Syring was named to the WCBL All-Star Game, where he helped the East beat the West 13-6.
Before the game, Ian Wilson caught up with Syring for the latest 7th Inning Stretch, where we learned that consistency was also a necessity in another sport the 6-foot, 195-pound athlete played.
1. When did you find out and what was your reaction to being named a WCBL All-Star?
Our coaches told us probably two weeks ago. They said, “Hey, we’re picking these guys.” I was excited for it, being up here for the first time in the league and being an all-star for the first time here. So it’s pretty fun.
2. Give us your recruitment story. How did you end up in Regina this summer?
One of our pitching coaches at Southwestern Oklahoma State, our head pitching coach actually, played here four or five or six years ago and knew Rye (Pothakos), our head coach, and set it up pretty nice and got me in here. I signed in January so I was pretty late but they got me in.
3. We’ve been told you’re a pretty big football guy as well. Tell us a bit about making that choice to head to baseball.
A couple of seasons ago, I played Division 2 football for SWOSU. I kicked for them. I never played a real game for Butler, but I was on the sidelines a couple of times for them in junior college as well. But ultimately, baseball takes up most of my time so I kind of threw that to the side and started focusing on baseball.
4. Where does the love of baseball come from for you?
Being three years old, my parents would take me out to the fields near our house and they would soft-toss me balls. 3-4-5, started playing t-ball, machine pitch. Just haven’t stopped since I was a young kid.
5. A few fun ones for you: what’s your favourite ballpark food?
That’s a tough one. I’d probably go with the Dodger Dog with a bunch of toppings on it.
6. What’s your favourite baseball movie?
The Sandlot. Hands-down. Maybe Bad News Bears. I’m an old head.
7. What does the game of baseball mean to you?
It means a lot, man. It’s been a part of my life from three years old and now I’m 24. I mean, after it’s done I’m going to need my hand in some type of baseball, otherwise I’ll feel lost. It’s got me through college, it’s got me through high school. It’s kind of made me into the person I am today and meeting everyone else. Yeah, it means a lot. That was a pretty deep question, it got me thinking a little bit.
The Red Sox will face the Moose Jaw Miller Express in the first round of the WCBL playoffs, which begin Wednesday in Regina.
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