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Alex Hintze's summer ends with commitment to Connecticut

September 8, 2014

By Spencer Flaten
Wisconsin Ball Battles

Few players have experienced a rise to prominence as big as Oshkosh North LHP Alex Hintze’s (2015). Hintze began his varsity career in 2012. As just a freshman, he established himself as an ace in the Spartans’ rotation, posting a 2.24 ERA in 40 innings of work. The effort was enough to earn him a spot in the honorable mentions in the all-Fox Valley Association team. Still, he was widely unheralded by scouts and coaches around the state.

As a sophomore, Hintze only improved, putting up a 1.68 ERA through 41 innings pitched. This time around, he was named 1st team all-FVA. But his junior season was what largely put him on the map. He posted a 12-1 record, cruising his way to a 0.62 ERA in the spring season which earned him a spot on the 3rd team all-state team.

He then followed up his spring performance with more dominance in the American Legion season, helping lead his Oshkosh squad to the state tournament and dealing his way to a 0.74 ERA in conference play. He committed to play baseball at the University of Connecticut shortly after the summer season.

“I chose UCONN because I felt like they will give me the best opportunity to get to the next level. I also felt very comfortable with the whole coaching staff,” Hintze said.

Hintze felt he had some extra work to do in order to become a household name.

“I’ve never really participated in national travel teams.  I didn’t play a lot of baseball my sophomore to junior year summer so over the past year I’ve really tried to get my name out there and show people what I can do,” he said.

While many top prospects choose to play their summer baseball with a travel program to maximize exposure, Hintze elected to play American Legion baseball. While the program is popular in Wisconsin, it is not typically the route of a Division 1 recruit. Still, Hintze knew that he had a chance to do something special with his teammates from Oshkosh.

“I knew that if I played Oshkosh Legion this year we would go far. We had a phenomenal team and I felt that recruiters could still come and see me play. Looking back, I’m glad with the decision that I made,” Hintze said.

The decision paid off for Hintze, who received interest from both Big 10 and SEC schools before he eventually settled on Connecticut.

Hintze’s final high school season should be an interesting one to follow. Playing in the Fox Valley Association, Oshkosh North is going to face some of the best teams in the state on a weekly basis.

“The FVA is one of the toughest conferences in Wisconsin, and knowing that- I have to work harder than any other pitcher because I face such phenomenal hitters,” Hintze commented.

However, just because Oshkosh North is in a tough conference doesn’t mean that they don’t have high hopes for the year.

“We have high expectations. Our goal every year is to win a conference championship and go deep in the playoffs, and this year we have the squad to do it,” he said.

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