University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
7th Inning Spotlight: Brian Gadsby
March 16, 2016 | Baseball
7TH INNING SPOTLIGHT
An ordinary day for a UCLA baseball player sounds a little like this: 6:00 am wake up call for weights, class throughout the day, and practice in the afternoon going into the evening. With most of their days committed to baseball it's hard to think they'd have time for anything else in their lives, but rest assured they do.
The Seventh Inning Spotlight aims to shine light on the unique personalities and lifestyles of each UCLA baseball player with Q & A's to get to know each player beyond their athletic abilities. Each week we will be highlighting a new student athlete. So stay tuned to learn about one of your favorite Bruins.
Q & A with Brian Gadsby
Hometown: La Crescenta, CA
Age: 18
Year: Freshman
Major: Plans to Major in Communications
Position: Pitcher
Tell me your story.
I have two parents and a sister (23). She graduated college and she's going to be teaching English in Thailand this summer. I grew up playing sports. My parents put me in baseball at age 4 and basketball at age 8. Freshman year of high school I was 5'2” and didn't make the basketball team so I was just going to play purely baseball but my friends convinced me to play football. I played both for all four years. I always wanted to play baseball after college and then I realized that after my sophomore year of high school that it was pretty realistic. Junior year went really well and I ended up being able to go to UCLA.
Describe the moment you committed to UCLA.
It was towards the end of my junior year. I was helping my high school coach get ready for a team dinner and I was talking to him about colleges and the ones I was going to visit. I told him how much I liked UCLA – it's good academically and they just won a National Championship. Then I went home from helping him and I talked to my dad about it and came to the conclusion I was going to UCLA. So I called Coach Savage and had a normal conversation and then told him, “I'm ready to become a Bruin” and “Ready to become a part of UCLA's baseball program”. Then he congratulated me.
It was kind of surreal…I never thought it would happen. It was also a big relief and stress off my shoulders. I had told my football coaches I needed to focus on baseball the fall of senior year. I was the quarterback and I quit so all summer people were convincing me to play football, but baseball was my goal so I didn't want to hurt my arm playing football. This took off the stress of worrying to play football because I had committed. I still wasn't sure if I should go back (to football) but I wanted to play and Coach Savage said it was my decision. So I played my senior year and we ended up going 14-0 and winning CIF.
What's your favorite outfit to wear?
I like to wear jeans with a nice but casual collared shirt, either long-sleeved rolled up or just a short sleeve and obviously shoes.
Tell me about some of your hobbies outside of baseball?
I'm a huge bowler. I just love bowling. My dad likes bowling so we would always go together. At first it was just something to do but now I'm an avid bowler. It was tough because I'm a pitcher and being a pitcher you throw a lot and bowling is just a lot of strenuous motion so both at the same time can add up. So I try to do it in off season. Eventually I want to get into it and enter leagues. Once baseball season ends I want to get into it. Besides bowling I'm just like any other guy who likes going to beach with friends and hanging out...And ultimate Frisbee, I really enjoy that.
What are three words your teammates would use to describe you?
Any synonyms for skinny. I've been called, lengthy.
What was it like adjusting to collegiate baseball compared with high school?
In high school I remember being on the other end playing guys who had committed to going to big schools. Knowing you've committed makes you can carry yourself differently and you feel more confident and dominate (playing games). Then when you get to college you feel none of that, no one cares. This summer I played ball in Washington, which really prepared me for college because I was facing some red shirt seniors that were 6 years older than me. Getting to pitch against ourselves in the fall prepared me too. It was definitely a tough adjustment but you get used to it and learn you're here for a reason.
If you could choose one subject you are most interested in what would it be?
I'm interested in broadcast media and I want to learn more about the subject to gain the knowledge so that I can pursue the goal of being an anchor on SportsCenter.
What do you not want to be doing in 5 years?
I don't want to still be in school. Hopefully I get drafted – the rule is 3 years and you're gone and then I would come back to finish my degree. Hopefully I'm not at a boring sit down job with a routine sitting on the computer for 40 hours a week or something not fun.
What is one thing that makes you unique?
I would say being skinny and still being able to be successful in college baseball.
Describe your perfect day?
Not having to wake up to an alarm and waking up to breakfast made…and eat it in bed maybe. Then I'd relax and watch TV in bed and after get up and walk out to the beach – I'd have a nice house on the beach – and I'd hang out on the sand for a little bit. Then I'd drive a Lamborghini down to the field and play a night game under the lights. To end the day I would hit the lanes at the bowling alley that I'd have at my house.
If you could have one skill you don't already have what would it be?
Snowboarding. I've been three times and the first time I went I don't think I got more than three seconds of riding. I have a video of me sliding down the hill on my stomach. So if I could be a really good snowboarder and go down black diamonds and know I'm not going to fall; that'd be sick cause snowboarding's fun.
Previous 7th Inning Spotlights
Luke Persico
Christoph Bono
Eric Filia
