For four years, Rob Ellwood has been a steady presence behind the plate for the Mules. He’s a leader both on the field and in the dugout.
Ahead of a home district game against Burbank, read what music pumps Rob up, what he loved most about going to the state tournament and what he does to prepare mentally for each game.
When did you start playing baseball?
I started playing baseball, actually I don’t even remember, I was too young. I guess whenever my parents took me to Little League Day and I played t-ball I was probably like five. I was pretty young.
When did you make varsity?
I was pulled up to varsity as a freshman to catch bullpens and then I did get to wear a jersey for a few games so technically as a freshman, but realistically as a sophomore.
What was it like getting to be on that state tournament team?
Honestly it was really fun to see what a good competitive baseball team looks like, and how a dugout works and how a team works together. For example, every guy loved each other on that team and there was no doubt about it and you would jump in front of a grenade for anybody on that team, and that was just an unwritten rule, so that’s what I liked about that team. I learned what a good team consists of.
Do you try to take and use anything you learned then now that you’re a senior and a leader on the team?
You know I’ve attempted to do some of the things, but things are changing all around and you can’t really control it. Some things work, some things don’t, but I’ve tried and I’ll keep trying.
Did you ever catch for Forrest Whitley?
I did. I caught his bullpens, and it was pretty fun.
What will it be like, possibly, to say you caught a Major League pitcher?
It’s going to be really fun to tell my kids that I caught him. I may or may not say I started, I don’t know yet, but I definitely caught his bullpens and will definitely tell everyone that I did that.
As a catcher, you see the game from a different perspective than everyone on the field and are involved in every pitch. What do you most enjoy about playing such a pivotal position?
A lot of people think baseball is a boring sport, but when you’re a catcher, you’re pretty much running the game. A lot of people think the pitcher is running the game, but in reality the catcher is usually calling all the pitches, and you know what’s going on and you get to see everything. It’s just fun being part of every single pitch and being engaged with the pitcher and building a relationship with him. It’s pretty fun.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
[Junior varsity] A, freshman year, funnest team I’ve ever been on. Then, the second best day of my life was also when I was a freshman when we dog-piled in Beeville when we beat Boerne [Champion] and the rain was coming down. I was warming up Morgan Dawley in the bullpen and then Forrest threw his last pitch and him and I sprinted from the bullpen together, so that was fun.
What is your next step after high school?
When I’m done with high school, I’m definitely going to pick up golf more often, you know, because golf messes with your swing. I’m going to Auburn, so I’m super excited about that. I’ll probably go to a few baseball games and I’ve thought about perhaps walking on, but that’s a dream, and I don’t know if I would do that. I’ll think about it.
Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
I have a superstition that superstitions are bad. I try not think about what I do, which is technically thinking about what I’m doing, so I guess it’s kind of a convoluted answer. I don’t want to try and think about things too much, but me thinking about not trying to think about things essentially means I’m thinking about things. I just do it and try not to think about it, but while I try not to think about it I usually think about stupid stuff like how I hold the baseball every time I throw it. That’s a big one. If I don’t have that right grip I don’t throw it right.
What’s your go-to song before a game?
I like “Mr. Roboto” [by Styx]. I like to listen to that one before the game because it reminds me that it’s a fun game, don’t be a robot, have some fun with it. My walk-up song is [“We Speak No] Americano” [by Yolanda Be Cool]. That song really gets me going. I wish it would be a little louder. Coach Porch, I hope you’re reading this. You should turn it up so the whole dugout gets lit. Other than that, I love that song too.
Who is your favorite sports team?
The Spurs. Unquestionably the Spurs. I went to the 2014 championship game when we won, and that was awesome. I love the Spurs.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would you choose and why?
Wilson, the ball. He’s like a person, but a ball, so you could kick him and he’ll just bounce back to you. That’s the best friend you could ask for.
If you could have dinner with three people, past or present, who would they be and why? What would you eat?
Oprah Winfrey, that’s a no-brainer, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. [We would eat] chicken Parmesan. First of all, Oprah Winfrey, I love her. I love the way she talks and I love the way she carries herself. She has her own talk show for Christ’s sake. She’s a beast. Venus and Serena, I just think they’re beasts on and off the court. They can rip it with the tennis racket, and I enjoy that with all my heart.
If you need a laugh in the dugout or at practice, who do you go to?
It’s probably Angel [Tijerina]. Actually, it’s usually Hunter [Campbell], but then me and Hunter go with Angel. It’s mostly laughing with him. Sometimes he gets angry, but he loves us nonetheless.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
Have fun boys!