Having a Field Day

Alec Warden is trading in his Jaguar jersey for a Nittany Lion this fall, as he realizes his goal of playing for a Division 1 school with Penn State Baseball.

It’s been a long road with years of practice and dedication, but Thomas Jefferson High School grad, Alec Warden has earned a spot on one of the top baseball programs in the country.

As a Jaguar, Alec was a three-year starting shortstop, with a batting average of .485. To put this in perspective, an average high school player will usually average around .300 to .350. Though his hitting has been a strong point, his fielding ability at shortstop has gained him serious attention.

“During the season, I’m playing baseball seven days a week,” says Alec. “In the off-season, I usually put in four days a week of lifting. We have a batting cage close by, and me and my teammates go there and hit year-round.”

Alec started out by playing T-ball at the age of five or six. In middle school, he played travel ball and for metro teams. Though he was always a really good player, he made a defining switch from outfield to shortstop as a sophomore in high school. This was a wise move by head coach, Tim Vickers who realized that shortstop might be a better match for his personality. Alec thrived at the new position and likes the fact that he sees more action. “There’s never really a play where you can take a break. You always have to be involved in the game,” Alec notes.

His parents, Doug and Barbara Warden are especially proud of his accomplishments. “Once Alec sets a goal and gets into that mindset—that’s it,” says Barbara. “He wanted to play in Division 1 and he accomplished it. And he’s done it all while being a member of the National Honor Society and working. We’re a big proponent of working for things. If he knew he wanted a $500 bat, he would get a job and pay for it. He sometimes had to work at two jobs.”

Alec says that his parents have been incredibly supportive of his love for baseball, and he doesn’t mind the work. One of his jobs was delivering pizza. “The tips are fantastic!” says Alec. He also has been giving lessons to younger players, who find his enthusiasm for the game contagious.

He may not have too much time for delivering pizza at Penn State. He’s always working to improve his hitting game, and concentrates on getting stronger and more powerful. One of the reasons he chose the university is Coach Mike Gambino, and Alec liked all of the people associated with the program. The school is also investing in the baseball program to make it even more competitive.

He hopes to play pro ball someday, but for now he is squarely focused on being a successful college player.

“It really comes down to how much you love the game,” says Alec. “I love how forgiving and yet how unforgiving the game is. It definitely teaches you lessons that you carry with you for life. Failures are going to happen. It’s about consistency and bettering yourself as a person.”

We wish Alec all the best at Penn State and will be watching his college career.