James Tyng doesn’t know anything other than Alamo Heights baseball. It’s always been at the center of his life, and now he’s at the center of this Mules team as a starting pitcher and infielder. After a life revolved around baseball, Tyng’s senior season will most likely be his last playing baseball. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin next year.
Before a busy spring break filled with games, Tyng sat down with me to talk about his life in baseball and answer some fun “rapid-fire” questions.
When did you start playing baseball?
Since I can remember. It’s been a long time, I’d say almost 16 years ago. I grew up playing at the little league all my life. I basically grew up there.
When did you make varsity?
Sophomore year was the first year that I was kind of back and forth.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
Last year’s run for sure. Great group of guys, and it was a lot of fun to go play all those games. There was a lot of emotion, and it was a lot of fun. It was probably the most disappointing experience in my life to lose. It was fun to be there, of course, but I wish the outcome came out a little differently. It was tough to swallow.
What is your next step after high school? Do you hope to continue playing baseball?
I’m going to the University of Texas for college. Baseball is not really part of the plan. I’m just going to try and really enjoy this last year.
Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
Not really. I just listen to music and try to stay as light as I can, talk. I don’t try to focus too much because I feel like I do worse when I get focused.
What’s your go to song before a game?
Anything that is really loud and has a lot of noises that just sounds like nothing. Basically anything that gets you really amped up, makes you want to run through a wall.
When you’re pitching do you do anything differently to prepare mentally?
No, nothing really. I just hang out and I get to chill out a little more when I pitch.
Who is your favorite sports team?
The San Antonio Spurs for sure. In baseball I’d say the Astros. I also always watch UT on the Longhorn Network, and I also like to watch TCU.
Now, Nathaniel Prete said he goes to you if he needs a laugh in the dugout or at practice. Who do you go to?
I mean, there’s a lot of funny guys on the team. Me and Nathaniel just have some kind of chemistry. We just know what to say and what to do. It’s just one of those relationships that we understand each other.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
If I could go anywhere, I would go to space. I want to see it for real for myself. I need to see it to believe it.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I’d say either Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey. Those are very ranging actors, but I think those are the two I’d like to play me. I just really like them as actors and I think they’re cool.
Name three people you would invite to your dream dinner party. What would you eat at that dinner?
I would invite George W. Bush, Gregg Popovich and Andre 3000 because I like the way his voice sounds. We’d probably eat a nice steak.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would you choose and why?
I have to say Bear Grylls, because maybe he’ll help me get off the island. Maybe Captain Jack Sparrow. Actually, yes I’ll go with Captain Jack Sparrow because he escaped the island like twice.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
I would say that I care a lot but I also like to have fun. I like to have fun, I like to get my work done, but I just don’t like having that serious mentality all the time. I like keeping things light and not so serious because I feel really awkward in those situations.