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Q&A with St. Cloud State commit Cal Giese

November 12, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

Tomorrow (November 13) marks the opening of the NCAA early signing period and today we look at what went into the recruiting process for LHP Cal Giese (SPASH, 2014) who will sign his letter of intent with St. Cloud State.Cal Giese

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Giese: My initial thought about the recruiting process was that it was going to be easier.  I thought schools would reach out and just offer a scholarship right away.  I soon learned they show interest by sending emails and camp information then will give an offer when you visit the school.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Giese: The recruiting process started to heat up for me after the WIAA State Tournament. I pitched a good game against Kenosha Bradford at state. It heated up again later in July at the Legion State Tournament that took place in Marinette. I had a solid tournament and I was named on the all-state team. 

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

Giese: I was looking for a college that is very competitive and wins baseball games.  Also a team that has a good core group of guys and a good coaching staff.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Giese: I did not want to be too far away from my home so location was a factor in my decision.  I didn’t want to be more than 5-6 hours away from home by car.

PBR: Where did St. Cloud State first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Giese: St. Cloud State sent me saying they had seen me play in games and showcases.  I soon started exchanging emails with the coaches and later started to text them and we set up a visit.  Then after the visit our relationship strengthened and we started to talk more. 

PBR: What do you like most about St. Cloud State and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Giese: I really like the campus and facilities that St. Cloud State has to offer. I love their baseball field and how they are very competitive. I am also thinking about being an architect, accountant, or pharmacist and St. Cloud State could offer me these majors. They were all factors on why I chose the school.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Giese: Some other schools that were on my short list included Winona St., Northern Illinois and Bradley.

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

Giese: I am a huge competitor.  I will do anything in my will to get my team a win.  I think this a great mentality to have on the mound and at the plate.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?

Giese: I need to improve more on not showing emotion when I play baseball.  What I mean by this is not hang or shake my head when a close call doesn’t go my way and always be positive and look forward. 

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

Giese: Some advice I would give is don’t give up on a dream.  I always wanted to be a pitcher in the MLB and with hard work and dedication; you can get yourself one step closer by continuing your baseball career at the college level. 

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

Giese: In the offseason I work out in the weight room every day after school and I throw a few times a week.  I also work on mechanics with one of my legion coaches, Cory Opper, who has helped me greatly the last couple of years. 

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Giese: I play for the senior legion team Plover Black Sox Post 543 in the summer. My most memorable experience came in the national regional in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was double elimination like the state tournament. We lost our first game and I was given the start for the second game. I pitched a 10 inning complete game with no walks. We won that game and were able to live another day. 

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel SPASH will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Giese: I feel that our high school team is very strong for the 2014 season. We have a strong pitching staff and I think we will have a solid defense. We have goals of winning conference again and making another trip to the state tournament. Hopefully this year we can bring back the gold trophy.   

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