10 Questions With ... Ryan O'Halloran -- Baseball
We kick off Baseball Week with our latest installment of "10 Questions With ...". Today, we feature Pirate sophomore Ryan O'Halloran.
- We will start with the hard stuff … tell me about where you were when you heard about Coach Alto and what those first few days and weeks were like?
"I remember finding out about it with everyone else and I was in total shock … absolutely devastated. Like everyone else, it took a while to really set in. Coach Alto was a serious coach, but he also like to keep it fun too. He was also coaching us for our lives too, showing us the right morals and standards we should keep to be successful off of the baseball field too."
- I guess the next obvious question is … how are you doing now?? With the loss of John and all of this COVID stuff … how are you holding up?
"I'm doing Ok, but I know that I'm not the only one in this boat. We are all getting adjusted to our new life. I'm hoping we can all get back to normal again very soon. I can't wait to get back with my teammates again and play baseball."
- Now that you're in Canada, what's that been like with COVID?? Are the rules and regulations a bit stricter over there than down here?? Have you been able to get some baseball work in?
"When it first started, it was more strict here for sure, but it's a bit looser now. For the most part, it's just like the States … no gatherings of more than 10 people, no team gatherings on fields … etc."
- With everything that's happened to the baseball program, the bright side of it all is the beginning of Nate Johnson's career. What was your take on his brief career last year and how has the transition been from Alto to Nate?
"He's a great coach! He's doing a great job of making a positive out of a negative situation. As a coach, he's got a different style than Coach Alto did, but he and the other coaches are going to keep us moving forward. Baseball is an individual sport played in a team setting."
- How excited are you to get back on the baseball field again? What goals do you have in place for you and as a sophomore, what type of advice or leadership would you like to share with the first-year players coming into this team?
"The last time I checked we are still the defending state champs, so there's nothing I want more than for us to repeat! For the new guys, I want to encourage our freshman players to come in with that same mentality and mindset. We don't play to lose around here … we play to win. Alto loved winning and this coming season, we definitely want to play for him and his memory."
- If I gave you a 24-hour pass from COVID and you could do anything that you used to do, what would it be?? What do you miss the most from this isolation??
"I just want to go to a baseball game or any sporting event for that matter. When something like this happens, you definitely take things for granted."
- All kids like to eat … what are your favorite meals??
- Favorite food in general – "Pasta … that's my go-to. I also love chicken parmesan."
- Favorite pregame meal – "Before a game, my go-to is a peanut butter/jelly sandwich."
- Favorite meal afterwards – "I try to eat healthy after games, so maybe a place like chipotle. If I'm celebrating … In & Out. Up here in Canada, our fast food is so inferior to what we have in the States."
- When you're not playing baseball, what do you enjoy doing?? Any hobbies or interests???
"I love playing video games. My main game to play is NBA 2K and as much as I hate to admit this, I'm a Knicks fan, so I play with that team. I'm also getting into golf. As of now, I'm shooting in the high 80s/low 90s, but I'm working on getting better."
- With COVID, the world has been binge-watching anything and everything … what are some of your top shows you've been getting into?
"I decided to start re-watching The Office again … so funny! I'm also a fan of the show "Avitar."
- What would you like to do AFTER Coast?? Are you majoring in anything at the moment?? Any long-term career goals???
"I definitely want to transfer to a four-year school to play baseball and get a business degree. I don't really have a school that's tops on my list – I tend to live more in the moment. But I definitely want to play baseball at the four-year level."
