The second Senior Spotlight of the day shines on baseball player Ryan Hanratty. Here is our conversation:
Cinn City Sports: What are your plans for college?
Hanratty: I haven’t made a college commitment yet. I’m close to deciding, but it has been difficult trying to find the right balance between academics and sports.
CCS: Do you have a major in mind?
Hanratty: I plan to major in Nursing, but I’m still considering a possible major in Biology in order to pursue the Physician’s Assistant program at one of the colleges I’m interested in.
CCS: Will you be playing any sports in college?
Hanratty: I plan to play baseball in college.
CCS: What was your favorite class at CHS?
Hanratty: My favorite class at CHS was American Law with Molly Quinn.
CCS: Which team do you look forward to facing the most each season?
Hanratty: It’s a tie between Holy Cross and Delran as to the team I most look forward to facing each season. They’re our biggest rivals, so our games against them are always pretty intense.
Favorite TV Show: My favorite TV show is That 70’s Show.
Favorite Movie: My favorite movie is Major League — you gotta love Charlie Sheen.
Favorite baseball player: I don’t really have a favorite baseball player. I like watching different pitchers and seeing their different styles and pitches.
Favorite baseball team: My favorite baseball team is still the Phillies, even though it’s hard to watch them play.
CCS: Who got you involved in baseball?
Hanratty: My family is very sports oriented, but my dad is mainly the one who got me involved in baseball since that was his favorite sport.
CCS: What made you decide to become a pitcher and at what age?
Hanratty: My dad was a pitcher when he played baseball, so that probably had the biggest influence on my decision to become a pitcher. I have pitched ever since I can remember first playing the game. In the past, I alternated between pitcher and catcher, and played 3rd Base occasionally, but recently I’ve only been focusing on pitching. It’s the position I like best, and I think it’s my strongest position where I can help the team the most.
CCS: What was it like to get the Opening Day nod for the Pirates?
Hanratty: I was really excited when I found out that I was going to be the starting pitcher on Opening Day, especially since we were playing Northern Burlington. They have a strong team, and it’s always more challenging as a pitcher when you know you’re going to face good hitters.
CCS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
Hanratty: Both of my parents have always encouraged me to play sports – not just baseball, but basketball and football through high school – but my dad has probably been the biggest influence on my athletic career since he was a pitcher.
CCS: Most memorable moment as a Pirate?
Hanratty: My most memorable moment as a Pirate was winning the State Championship in baseball during my sophomore year. It was an experience I will never forget, and one that I’m hoping to experience again as a senior.
