Story by Nicholas Hall, for The Muleskinner—
The Mules baseball team could be found at Crane Stadium a week and a half ago tirelessly shoveling snow in the hopes of hosting Southwest Baptist March 27, but field conditions forced the game to be played in Bolivar, Mo.
Among the crew was senior Kyle Grieshaber. He explained that the labor was not mandatory, but that each of the players wanted to help recover the field.
Grieshaber transferred to Central after spending his first two seasons playing for Louisville, where he was a two-year letter winner and a three-time Big East player of the week.
“The teammates and the coaches (at Central), can’t beat it,” he said. “Having new guys to play alongside, it’s a better fit here.”
Judging by his .371 batting average this season, few baseball goers would deny that Central has been a good fit for him.
When asked what he could attribute to such an impressive average, Grieshaber laughed, “I had no idea I was hitting that. I try not to worry too much about numbers though.”
He started off like most ball players playing t-ball at four years old.
Grieshaber attributes much of his success throughout college to his family. His biggest influence is his father, Dan Grieshaber, who played baseball for Wichita State.
Grieshaber also played soccer in high school.
“It’s always been a big sport in my family and where I’m from,” he said. “But my decision to stick with baseball was skill-based.”
Grieshaber said there really isn’t an offseason because when it’s not the regular season, the players continue to practice and workout. When the regular season is over, he likes to golf.
Since he is from the St. Louis area, Grieshaber’s favorite MLB team is the Cardinals. However, his favorite player is Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
“It’s cool to see a guy your age thrive at that level,” he said.
Grieshaber is majoring in corporate fitness and hopes to make a career in coaching.
He got to play at Minute Maid Park in Houston to begin the season.
“It was my first time playing on a major league field,” he said. “It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Grieshaber said he is looking forward to “nicer weather and getting to the postseason.”