Indiana University Athletics
In the Dugout with Tyler Tufts
1/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 20, 2006
Along with head coach Tracy Smith and assistant coaches Ty Neal and Micah Nori, the Indiana baseball team also welcomes 12 new players to the 2006 roster. In the coming weeks, IUHOOSIERS.com will feature each IU newcomer. After infielder Ben Greenspan took his turn in the spotlight, pitcher Tyler Tufts is up next.
A 6-0 right-hander, Tufts picked up all-conference honors at pitcher as a junior and senior as well as at shortstop as a sophomore at Nordonia High School in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. He posted an 11-1 record on the mound and batted over .350 in 2004 and 2005.
Tufts played in the Eastern Ohio All-Star Game and secured first team All-Connie Mack honors playing for the JL Clevelanders, his summer team.
The son of James and Suzanne Washabaugh has three brothers, Fred, Jordan and Jimmy, and two sisters, Aubrey and Ashley. Jimmy is a member of the Akron baseball team. Tyler plans to study sport marketing and management.
Hometown: Sagamore Hills, Ohio
High School: Nordonia
Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6-0/170
Bat/Throw: R/R
If you were to play another sport at IU, what would it be?
Definitely football
Best thing about the team:
Everyone shares a lot of interests, has fun hanging out together and gets along well.
What are three words that best describe coach Smith?
Funny, tough, smart
Who would play you in a movie?
Sean William Scott
Which professional player would you compare yourself to?
Mark Prior
What is your favorite major league ballpark?
Jacobs Field - Cleveland Indians
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Rough Road
What is your favorite/most memorable sports moment?
Pitching an eight-inning game under the lights in the third round of the playoffs my junior year at Nordonia and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth.
Should Pete Rose be eligible for the Hall of Fame?
Absolutely!
Should college baseball switch to wooden bats?
Absolutely
Who is the best hitter and pitcher in major league baseball?
Best hitter is definitely Grady Sizemore (Cleveland) and best pitcher is Cliff Lee (Cleveland)
Who is the one MLB hitter/pitcher you would want to face?
Hitter - Kenny Lofton; Pitcher - Tim Wakefield
Favorite baseball team:
Cleveland Indians
Favorite player:
Kenny Lofton
Why did you choose IU?
It was the best for me, and I wanted to play in the Big Ten.
