NYCBL BASEBALL: Gill is model of maturity
By Nate Beutel
Niagara Gazette
Jake Gill is as even-keeled as they come. Whether he strikes out or makes a game-saving catch, you’d never be able to tell the difference.
That type of approach, he says, is the key to success in baseball — and marriage.
“You just have to put things in perspective and make the best of it,” the 22-year old Niagara Power center fielder said recently. “You might go 0-for-4, but you’re still going to go home and have your wife waiting with a smile. Or you might go 4-for-4 and have a tough situation at home. It’s all about that balance.”
Those are strong words from a college senior. But ones that Power skipper Sam Kirby is not at all surprised by.
“He brings a certain amount of maturity that you wish all guys his age had,” Kirby said. “I even admire him. He knows how to do things the right way.”
That includes finding the right time to pop the question to his long-time girlfriend, Kala. After praying and talking it over with family and friends, Gill made “the best decision” of his life.
“She was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” he said. “We got married on June 14 last year and it’s been great since.”
Kala has even traveled with Gill to the Cataract City this summer. The couple are staying with the Knight family of Grand Island, and Kala often assists Sherrie Kern at Power home games.
Unfortunately, too many of those games have ended in losses for Gill and the Power. Gill said this summer has been much like his junior year at MidAmerica Nazarene, where the team did not always play to its potential.
“We have a lot of potential, but we’ve struggled to put it all together,” he said.
It certainly hasn’t been because of Gill, though, according to Kirby.
“He’s one of the few guys that have changed their approach and mentality a bit and been able to get out of slumps,” the manager said. “Some of the younger players need to learn from his example.”
Gill is currently hitting .262 for the Power, the highest among everyday players. He also leads the team in doubles and runs scored.
