If you haven’t been to a baseball game to see Thomas Nicoll pitch, you have been missing out on a show.
And this week Nicoll has was named MEAC Baseball Player of the Week.
Nicoll is a senior criminal justice student and he is a native of Tallahassee.
He’s been playing baseball since he was 6 years old. He says that his mother has been his biggest role model.
While playing baseball at a young age, a coach told Nicoll that he would never be a pitcher. Instead of letting those words alter his dream, he practiced everyday on his pitching to maximize his talent.
In 2014 he earned the Leon High pitching award. That same year he was also named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament Team.
He played his freshman and sophomore year at Tallahassee Community College, where he accumulated 60 strikeouts, before earning an athletic scholarship to Florida A&M University.
Now his hard work is paying off and it’s showing on the baseball field.
Fellow teammate Dexter Martin had much to say about his pitcher.
“Thomas is a fantastic player and he’s been playing like hard these past couple of weeks and he’s really starting to help carry the load,” Martin said.
Nicoll loves his teammates and they have become very close this season.
“My teammates are my family on and off the field and I trust my teammates to have my back when times get tough,” he said.
Coach Jamey Shouppe spoke highly of his pitcher. “He’s one of our best and he’s definitely plays a big role on this team. He’s my captain and a natural born leader. He’s helping this program get back on track.”
Nicoll admitted that the team got off to a rough start this season but the Rattlers have begun to play harder and they’re starting to once again look like a team.
Another teammate, outfielder Cameron Johnson, said Nicoll continues to improve.
“He’s a heck of a pitcher and he’s a good leader. He doesn’t do too much talking when the team isn’t doing well, he does the talking with his play and motivates everyone to try to do better.”
Nicoll loves being a pitcher. Now that he’s a senior, he admits that he wants to focus more on his education so he can better prepare for the next chapter of his life once he graduates.
“School was never my strong point, I’ve always loved baseball and when I step out on the baseball field I feel free and I know I’m in my safe haven. But I’m doing better now and I’m striving to put my education first.”
Nicoll appreciates the recognition for his play, but now he wants some more recognition for the entire team. He said that he knows that the team can finish strong.