Colin Shashaty Commits to Ithaca College

Colin Shashaty has a big day at the plate and is our @BsbLifestyle101 Player of the Game. He spoke about the win pic.twitter.com/WMRcAV6TzE

— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 25, 2019

Sometimes players fly under-the-radar without garnering too much attention. One player that fits this description is Northport 2020 grad Colin Shashaty. As a junior, he had a remarkable season for the Tigers; he batted .432 over 67 at bats with 29 hits, scored 25 runs, drove in 19 runs, stole 10 bases, drew six walks and struck out only three times.

He announced his commitment to Division-III powerhouse Ithaca College this past weekend.

I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…

Can you describe your experience with the college recruiting process and why you made your decision?

The recruiting process was very stressful for me. I had some schools who liked me during the summer going into my junior year, but nothing was serious. During this past summer, I had some D1 and D2 schools that showed interest in me, but none of them fit from an academic standpoint. I was looking for a school that had both an excellent baseball program as well as a great journalism program. After doing tons of research, I found that Ithaca could potentially be a great fit for me. After talking to my travel coach, Coach Pembroke, and my high school coach, Coach Lynch, we decided to pursue Ithaca. When I went for my visit in September, I fell in love with the school immediately and felt it was the best fit both academically and athletically.

Who are your biggest role models in life?

My biggest role models are my parents. They have always been by my side through the ups-and-down of my life, and have taught me how to be a great ballplayer on the field but also a great person off-the-field. They have instilled in me that nothing comes easy in life and everything is earned not given. The one coach I have always looked up to is Coach Lynch. I’ve known Coach Lynch since I was very young and have gained a ton of respect for him through the years. He has taught me so much about the game and has guided me through my four years of high school baseball. His passion for the game is unmatched and I couldn’t imagine suiting up for any other high school coach.

Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball?

My favorite player in Major League Baseball growing up was Carlos Beltran. I loved watching him hit as a kid, and fell in love with his grit in the outfield. He was never afraid to lay out for a ball and always played the game the right way. I wear the number 15 because of him.

Do you work with any private instructors?

This past off-season, I trained with Coach Pembroke of the East Coast Lumberjacks. We worked on staying on my backside, shortening my stride and getting my top hand completely through the baseball. Coach Pembroke is an outstanding hitting coach because he puts his players through tough drills, so when the game comes we feel more confident. His advice helped me tremendously and allowed me to become a more confident hitter.

Northport has strange dimensions on its field, can you tell our audience about it and if that impacts the game at all?

The baseball field at Northport is a very unique field due to its dimensions. The left field line is 358, right field line is 319 and straightaway center is 360. I kind of enjoyed those dimensions because it kept a lot of balls in the ballpark and allowed me to use my speed to my advantage. It didn’t effect us offensively because we were a team who hit the ball hard and low and allowed us to use our speed on the base paths to manufacture runs. We are getting a new field this year with the dimensions being similar to many other high school fields on Long Island so these dimensions won’t be a factor anymore.

What’s your favorite app on your phone?

My favorite app is Instagram.

Do you have any superstitions on the field?

My only superstition I have is I have to listen to country music before a game to calm me down. Sometimes I get too fired up before games, but listening to country music usually relaxes my mind so I can be successful.

Who is your favorite musical artist?

My favorite musical group is probably Florida Georgia Line.

What are your goals for 2020?

My goal for 2020 is to get back in the playoffs and make a run at a County Championship. I think we have a wealth of talent this year to have a very successful year. Personally, I want to be an All-County player. I was All-League last year but I want to take the next step and be recognized as an All-County player.

What are you planning to do in the off-season to improve?

This off-season, I need to get bigger and faster. I have always been known for my speed, but I know I can become even better if I put on weight and muscle. I want to add at least 10 lbs this offseason.