Playing with a passion
Quincy Tunstall, WJPS's baseball superstar, who began playing at the ages of 3-4, who was inspired to play because of his cousin. He was recently scouted while playing with Francis Lewis' varsity baseball team by Northwest Oklahoma State. Congratulations, and on behalf of the newspaper staff we wish you good luck and superstardom in your future. Picture by Samantha Ubertini
by Samantha Ubertini, staff reporter
Student Spotlight: Quincy Tunstall
When did you start playing baseball and why?
Well I first picked up a bat when I was three or four years old. My oldest cousin was the one who really got me into it. I used to go to all of his games and even though I didn’t know the rules at all, I just loved being around the sport.
Were there ever times when you wanted to stop playing? Why or why not?
Not at all. When I was younger, I played both basketball and baseball and there came a time when I had to make a decision. Never did it cross my mind that I was going to stop playing baseball. I can honestly say I’m in love with the sport.
How were you discovered by other colleges? Were you nervous when they would come to your games?
Well it was a matter of putting a word out. My coach would get calls from college coaches and would ask him which kids were worth coming out to see and luckily he referred to me and after one coach would come, he would tell others and that’s usually how it works. But the good thing is college coaches don’t usually dress like coaches when they scout. They usually just look like fathers in the stands. But even when I knew there was a coach coming, I wouldn’t let it affect the way I played. I’d put the same effort in as I did all the other games. If I did good, I did good. If I did bad then, oh well.
How did you make the decision to sign with Northwest Oklahoma State?
I always knew, since the day I moved here from Texas, I wanted to go back down south for college. It seemed like a great school, it has a great athletic program, and the coach and I seemed to get along very well. Plus this was a great opportunity and I couldn’t let it go by.
What do you hope the outcome of going to school on a sports scholarship will be?
Well like every kid/teenage athlete’s dream; to become a major leaguer. But the chances of that are very slim. I’m majoring in physical therapy so either way I will benefit from being a baseball player because I’ll be able to relate to athletes.
What teams did you play for? What position did you play?
I’ve played for a lot of teams; most of them in Texas. I’ve played for the Plano Voyageurs, Plano Rangers, Heroes, Youth Service, and now I currently play with New York Nine. I’ve played every position at one point in my baseball career, but my primary positions often change. I’m currently a 3rd baseman/catcher.
What kind of challenges do you think you’ll face when you play in college?
I think the only challenge I’ll face, besides the obvious, is the fact that I’m going to have to compete with kids from all over the country for a starting position on the team. Once I do that, I’ll be alright.
Expectations? Fears? Concerns?
My only fear is not living up to my potential and fall short of greatness. But other than that, I expect to have fun, get a great education, and continue the next 4 years of my life as a Oklahomie.