By Steve Nielsen

Dan Jansen is a Class of 2013 catcher from Appleton West HS. The senior is committed to attend Jacksonville University in the fall of 2013. He will join a long line of Wisconsin natives traveling south to join the Dolphins of Jacksonville University. Most notably, Adam Brett Walker II (Milwaukee Lutheran HS) and Dan Gulbransen (Fox Valley Lutheran) were drafted this past June in the MLB Amateur Draft in the 3^rd and 16^th rounds, respectively. Jansen hopes to continue this trend of Wisconsin prep stars enjoying success at Jacksonville University.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why? 

Jansen: I have faced many great players so it is hard to pick out just one.  I would have to say Grant Yost from Appleton North.  I have faced Grant since little league and it is always a battle.  

PBR: What is your No. 1 personal goal for the 2013 season?

Jansen: I have many goals for the 2013 season.  If I had to pick one it would have to be to continue to strengthen myself and to improve my overall game to help my team in any way I can.

PBR: What are some team goals that you have for 2013?

Jansen: To be a leader on and off the field, win the conference championship and compete in the state play-offs with my team.

PBR: What are you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Jansen: To help the program succeed and to excel as a student athlete on and off the field.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?

Jansen: I think my best attribute as a player is that I lead by example.  Supporting my teammates, working hard, and treating others with respect means a lot more than to me than getting a big hit in a game.

PBR: What do you feel is the biggest adjustment you need to make in taking your game to the next level?

Jansen: Definitely getting stronger.  Also, a big adjustment will be adapting to the speed of the game.  Pitchers will be throwing 90 mph sliders on the edges and will be better at hitting their spots.  Getting up to speed is a challenge I am looking forward to.

PBR: What do you like about the college you have committed to and why did you choose them?

Jansen: Jacksonville University is a small private school and is a school that is highly regarded academically.  The baseball program has been very receptive to athletes from Wisconsin, (Dan Gulbranson, Adam Walker and many others).  Also the coaching staff is phenomenal and has been at the school for many years with much success.   Jacksonville is in Florida and it will be nice to play in a warm climate.  

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Jansen: Baseball is not an easy game to play.  It’s a game where anything can happen, good and bad, that makes it tough.  However, if you grow to love the game, the game will love you back.  The thing is you have to never give up on the game or your dreams, no matter what.  You always have to push yourself hard, on and off the field.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Jansen: I will be in the weight room during the off-season working with the trainer.  I will be focusing on agility and quickness training and lots of stairs, (got to love the stairs).  I also will be hitting off the tee or live pitching every day. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Jansen: When my baseball team took 2^nd place in the 14 year old Babe Ruth World Series, losing to the Arizona team that won the Little League World Series 2 years before that.