Battlefield Preparation Helps White On The Ballfield

When Cole White talks about training and preparation, the conversation isn't necessarily centered around baseball.

With the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 serving as his motivation, White began exploring the option of attending a service academy as a Midland (Texas) High junior. Upon taking a visit to West Point, White fell in love with a place that allowed him to continue his baseball career and commit to something much larger than the national pastime.

“(West Point was) one of the greatest experiences of my life,” White said. “The ups and downs, and you learn so much about yourself — your limits and boundaries. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates knew what type of players they were getting when they selected White and U.S. Army teammate Chris Simmons in the 42nd and 43rd rounds of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft. However, the organization had no guarantee of whether White or Simmons would ever don a baseball uniform.

White and Simmons began their baseball careers in Short-Season Class-A ball with the New York-Penn League’s State College (Pa.) Spikes before the two were called back to active duty in July 2008. White, a corner outfielder/first baseman, had hit .366 over his first 71 professional at-bats, while Simmons, a catcher, had a .257 average after his first 36 at-bats as a professional.

White’s two years of active duty included eight months as a graduate assistant at West Point, seven weeks at Fort Sill, Okla., four and a half months at Fort Knox, Ky., and eight months at Fort Hood, Texas. Simmons’ path took him to Fort Knox and Fort Benning (Ga.) before a January 2010 deployment to Iraq.

Fortunate enough to receive a release from his active-duty commitment, White rejoined the Spikes last summer. Those who studied alongside White at West Point and served with him during his stint in the Army are never far from his thoughts.

Fittingly, White prays for his family, former classmates and those serving in the Armed Forces prior to each game during the national anthem. He has brought that ritual from State College to Bradenton, where the 26-year-old served as the high Single-A Marauders’ Opening Day first baseman.

“That’s kind of my moment during the day to reflect and be thankful for everything that I have been given,” White said. “Some of my friends have been in some serious accidents over there. It’s one of those things that everyone who signs up for the Army knows is a possibility. I’m just very thankful for this opportunity and those people who are still serving.”

By preparing for tasks much more daunting than trying to hit a fastball, White was easily able to transition back into the regimented baseball lifestyle. Last season, he hit .250 in 42 games for State College and was named league player of the week for the week of July 26-Aug 1.

“Whether in the Army or in baseball, you have a team and you have a goal to win,” White said. “It’s just different tactics. You can really translate what I learned in the military to baseball and what I learned through baseball to the military. You see a lot of great leaders in the military, who played sports in college and understand the team concept. They know what it’s like to know your role and how to produce in your role.”

The structure and discipline that White learned at West Point and as a first lieutenant is evident to Bradenton manager Carlos Garcia. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound White has played in only two games for the Marauders this year, but Garcia promises more opportunities.

“A very professional guy, who knows what he wants and goes about his business the right way,” Garcia said of White. “He’s very disciplined, and I definitely know why. He’s a guy who takes a leadership role on this team and whom I respect very much.”