Oklahoma State University Athletics
Baseball Standout Aims High, But Not out of Park
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Baseball
April 1, 1999
STILLWATER, Okla. - Billy Gasparino never expected to be one of the top two home run hitters in the Big 12. It was just something that happened.
"I just try to hit the ball well," Gasparino said. "If it goes out of the park, then that's great."
Gasparino, a senior from Tampa, Fla. and Oklahoma State's shortstop, currently ranks second in the league in homers. He has hit 13 home runs so far this season, but Gasparino says he doesn't consider hitting one of this strong points.
"I definitely consider myself a defensive player. I played shortstop in high school and I just always thought I was better at that than at hitting," Gasparino said.
Gasparino said he felt his small physique coming into college prevented him from being a power hitter.
"I've gained around 25 pounds since I've been at OSU. Of course, that's not the only thing that has helped me improve my batting. I've had to work out to get stronger. And my hitting technique has gotten a lot better," he said.
In fact, Gasparino said it was his small physique that made him choose baseball over the other wide variety of sports he played at Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit High School.
"I played football, basketball and baseball. But I soon began to realize that I was not big enough to play football or basketball at the college level. So I decided to stick with baseball, since you don't have to be a big guy to be good at that," Gasparino said.
OSU wasn't Gasparino's first stop out of high school. He attended the University of Georgia during his freshman year, where he was also a member of the baseball team.
"I didn't really care where I went to college, as long as I could play baseball. Georgia offered me a scholarship, and I knew that I would get to play, so I went," he said.
However, Gasparino found himself dissatisfied toward the end of his freshman year, when Georgia's head coach was fired.
"It just didn't seem like the program was going in the right way, especially after we came in last in our conference. So, I asked to be released from the team," Gasparino said.
After he received his release from Georgia, Gasparino transferred to Oklahoma State.
"They (OSU) were looking for an infielder. Apparently, they lost someone in the draft and needed a player to fill that vacant spot. It was a perfect fit for both of us," Gasparino said.
Gasparino says OSU's baseball team's short-term goal is to win more Big 12 Conference games.
"We have to start winning. That is what we are trying to take care of right now. We'll worry about the College World Series after that," Gasparino said.
He said thinks the members of the team each work hard to do their best at their individual jobs.
"Baseball is both an individual and a team sport. You have to take care of yourself, but you also have to not be selfish. Everyone on our team tries to know what it takes to do your personal best," Gasparino said.
Gasparino hopes to be a draft-pick this year, as he finishes up his final season of collegiate baseball.
"I wish I got to decide, but I don't get to pick. I just hope I will be taken by one of the teams," he said.
If the draft doesn't go like he hopes, Gasparino plans to finish school. He lacks only one more semester to get his bachelor's degree in finance.
"I think I'll be happy even if I don't get to play professional ball. I will have a degree to fall back on," Gasparino said.
When it comes to hitting home runs, Gasparino says it is a great feeling hitting a ball out of the park.
"It is so exciting to hear the uproar of the crowds and the music being played. It's one of the most exciting things about being a baseball player," he said.
