Episode Transcript
[00:00:13] Speaker A: Hello. Welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Sullentrop of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. Thanks very much for your time listening to our podcast. Our guest today is Caleb Duncan. Caleb is a redshirt sophomore outfielder from Goodyear, Arizona. He transferred to wichita State after one season at Golden West Community College in California. Caleb hit.325 with eight doubles and led the conference with 23 stolen bases. Last spring, he earned all conference and conference Gold Glove honors as a center fielder. We're getting close to baseball season. The Shockers open the season on February 14th at McNeese State. You can check them out at X Stadium. The first home series starts Feb. 28 against Cal State Fullerton. Caleb, tell us about how you chose to attend Wichita State.
[00:01:02] Speaker B: Really, it was Clay Overcash. Clay is a guy that preaches relationships and doing what they say and reaping that they're gonna be who they are and it's people first. And I didn't even see Clay after the game. He went to down in Huntington Beach, California, but probably had an hour phone call with him. And we didn't really talk much baseball. We just talked how his coaching staff was going to treat me, how he was going to treat me, how they were going to dive into me as a person and better me as a man every day. And I think that's really what stood out.
[00:01:35] Speaker A: So Clay Overcash is one of the Wichita State assistant coaches, and over these last few years, we've heard a lot about those things. You talked about relationships, the transfer portal, all that kind of stuff is part of this atmosphere in college baseball, college athletics. Has that become more important to athletes, that kind of the relationship part of it?
[00:01:56] Speaker B: Yep, I believe so. I think one of the main reasons that I went to golden west and that I inevitably ended up here is a relationship. I'm from Goodyear, Arizona and Goodyear juco ball is pretty good. Or Arizona juco ball is pretty good. But didn't really know much about any coaches out there. And I trusted one of my head coaches, James McDonald's, and he said, hey, I know this guy. We have a great relationship. He's going to treat you well. And I trusted him and our relationship and I went out to California to follow that goal and follow that path, and it ended up being the right choice.
[00:02:29] Speaker A: Okay. And then now you're here at Wichita State. So you aware number 53, is there a story behind choosing that number?
[00:02:36] Speaker B: A little bit. Coming in as juco guy, you know, there's not many options, but when I found when I saw 53, I immediately thought about James. James pitched in the big leagues for the Pirates and the Dodgers and has really been a mentor in my life competitively and just as a man and almost like a son. He has done so much for me and just really been, really been who I look up to during this journey.
[00:02:59] Speaker A: And James, what's his Last name?
[00:03:01] Speaker B: James McDonald.
[00:03:01] Speaker A: James McDonald. Okay. Okay. Yeah. 53 doesn't strike me as a speedy center field or number. That's more of a first hard hitting first baseman number.
Did you think about that at all?
[00:03:13] Speaker B: Not really. I think just really about the relationship. Like he means. He means almost the world to me. So when I could wear his number and just almost bring. Bring some popularity to that number again and just look down and see his number on my chest, I think that that meant more than anything else.
[00:03:30] Speaker A: You will need a walk up song, I guess by February 28th for the opener. Have you chosen it and is there a story with your walk up song?
[00:03:38] Speaker B: Yep, I actually just. Just chose it the other day. I think it's gonna be Ain't it, Ain't it fun. But I think it's Paramore and I think it really just incorporates how I want to play the game. I think it's. It talks about fun, having fun and I think that's how I like to play the game. At the end of the day, it's a game and I want to have fun while I'm doing it and I want to just bring fun back to baseball.
[00:03:59] Speaker A: Do you have a new walk up song every season? How do you approach that part of it?
[00:04:03] Speaker B: Yes, I do. I don't. I, I normally don't try to go back and do the same one.
I just kind of feel what, what's speaking to me at the time and at the moment and, and with transfer portal and a lot of baseball getting kind of serious in a collegiate space, I think it's good to kind of bring the fun back into and just play.
[00:04:20] Speaker A: You are a sport management major here at Wichita State. Tell us about your future plans.
[00:04:25] Speaker B: I think I definitely want to get into coaching eventually. Just like I talk about, James has inspired and changed my life for the better in numerous ways. And I think the same thing goes with Brian Greene. Just the way they are able to touch young men and really shape their futures. I think that's what. What's in store for me next.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: So Brian Greene's already already made an impression in your short time here?
[00:04:48] Speaker B: Yep. Definitely.
[00:04:49] Speaker A: You come from a big athletic family. Did you play other sports growing up, or was it pretty much baseball? Baseball.
[00:04:55] Speaker B: Baseball, pretty much baseball. In high school, I played a little bit, like in middle school, like basketball, volleyball, just. Just to stay athletic. But when it got to high school, it was really all baseball.
[00:05:05] Speaker A: What is it about baseball? Why'd you fall in love with that sport?
[00:05:08] Speaker B: I think I fell in love with the process. Baseball is very hard and just knowing that you're not gonna have it every day, it's not gonna be the same every day. And even at your best, you might still go 0 for 4 and look like you had a failure as a day. But knowing that there's successes in those failures and being able to grind at something every day, I think that's what kept me with it.
[00:05:31] Speaker A: That's a big baseball topic. You go over four, you gotta, you know, you can't let that turn into 0 for 8, 0 for 12. What are your strategies for dealing with a bad day at the plate? Do you call your dad? Do you talk to a teammate? How do you get through the tough times?
[00:05:48] Speaker B: Through the tough times? I mean, I definitely lean on James for sure. He was a big leaguer, so a pitcher, definitely a little different mindset. But just being able to know how you fail in the game, right? It's always good to have somebody that's done it and been a part of it. But it's also my mom. My mom is a big baseball head, big baseball fanatic. And any swings that I'm feeling, anything that's off at the plate, she's the first one that's going to call me and let me know. But it's also just being able to talk to her and be like, hey, mom, I felt great, but I failed. Like, I'm so upset. And she's like, hey, you just like you said, you go over four and you might have had a good day, but can't let it streak. So just knowing that tomorrow's a different day, the sun's always going to come up and you're going to get another crack at it.
[00:06:29] Speaker A: Was it difficult not to take a bad at bat out into the outfield?
[00:06:35] Speaker B: Difficult, probably. I think I would. I'd like to say I'm pretty good at that.
It's almost like two different games, right? There's an offense and a defense, and what you do defensively can change a game, can change a game just as much as the offense can. So I think not letting it happen because it's two different aspects of the game is extremely important. And you just got to value. You just got to flush it almost. You got to value your abs at the plate. Keep that on the offense. And then when you go defense, it's a completely different game.
[00:07:03] Speaker A: Your brother played college football, your dad played college football, your mom, who you mentioned ran track. Growing up in that kind of athletic environment, how did that shape you?
[00:07:14] Speaker B: It definitely shaped me for the better. It was extremely competitive in house. I can't. You could name any activity, and I think we're going to try to win, and we're going to make it about a game, and we're going to try to do the best we can just to see who comes out on top.
It's extremely fun. I think being competitive is definitely a mindset and definitely something that makes kind of your everyday life fun anytime you can. If you can be competitive, I think we would be.
[00:07:41] Speaker A: Do you have any good stories about mom and dad having to separate you and your brother after a basketball game in the driveway or game of Monopoly or something?
[00:07:49] Speaker B: Oh, probably. Probably a lot of them. He's 10 years older than me, so he did have a lot of advantages with some stuff, but during his journey, he played football, and he's 22 years old and I'm 12, and I'm guarding him at the line, trying to make him better, but also just trying to keep up with him the best I could.
[00:08:10] Speaker A: Good defensive outfielders. I was out of practice yesterday for a few minutes and saw you make two really nice plays in center field. Are good defensive outfielders born or are they made?
[00:08:22] Speaker B: I think you definitely. It definitely is a mixture, right?
Instincts. Instincts might be born, but you got to learn how to play the game. You got to learn. You got to learn how to read swings. There's a lot. There's a lot that goes into it. Positioning. You got to read the wind. In Wichita, we have really strong wind, so I think. I think it's definitely a mixture, but at the end of the day, it's. It's a little bit of both. But you got. You got to put it together to be one of the greats.
[00:08:50] Speaker A: Do you enjoy defense? Working on the footwork, the making the right throw, positioning your body, all that kind of stuff?
[00:08:58] Speaker B: Yep, I love it. I think. I think it relates to offense as well. Defense is the same. Just the minute things between tiny steps, between accuracy on the throws, inches between where the ball is, and all those things go into it. So definitely, I think that's really important.
[00:09:15] Speaker A: Is there a big league outfielder you like to watch for his defensive prowess?
[00:09:19] Speaker B: I would definitely have to say there's two of them. Mookie Betts, he's with the Dodgers right now. And then Ronald Acuna. Both of them are extremely explosive and go after it 100% whenever they can. And I think that's what I like about their game the most.
[00:09:31] Speaker A: Wichita State had its first pitch banquet on Saturday. Around 600 people. I think they sold that out. Former Royal star Mike Sweeney gave a really nice speech. Lots of former shockers there.
What was your big takeaway? What was your impression from the first pitch banquet?
[00:09:49] Speaker B: Really? Two of them, I'd have to say the showing. We had 600 plus and. And being in that community, I've never been a part of something like that. First pitch banquet, getting ready. We haven't done much. Right. The team had an amazing run last year, and we have a lot of returners that. That are gonna lead that charge. But coming in, it's almost like, okay, like, I haven't played a game yet. Like. Like we haven't won a game yet. So. So to see that much following, see that much support immediately coming from Brian Greene or supporting Brian Greene and his vision, that was amazing. And then Mike Sweeney, his. He gave a really, very strong speech and it moved a lot. And just seeing how everybody rallied around him and just was right there with him, every. Every step of the way was. Was really important coming from just the player he was and the man he is.
[00:10:40] Speaker A: Did you Google sequoia trees or bison after his. After his talk? Just to kind of fact check him a little bit.
[00:10:47] Speaker B: That. That's actually very interesting that you said that. Cause I did. I'm from. I played California in California last year, and we played Sequoia, the College of Sequoia. So I was like, okay. I remember seeing big trees, but I didn't really understand it at the moment. So hearing him say that knowing he's from San Diego and his kids playing out in California right now hit home for me and gave me some good memories.
[00:11:11] Speaker A: That was interesting. Yeah, I did Google him in sequoia trees. His point was, in hard times, like a storm or a flood, sequoia trees, their roots will bind together with the trees around them, and that makes them stronger. And obviously that has lots of applications for a baseball locker room. So you played for the Hayes Larks last summer. Hayes won the NBC World Series. How did that experience help your baseball game?
[00:11:35] Speaker B: That was great. Coming down here for the NBC and playing at X Stadium was something I could never have asked for. I really. You kind of see it on the visit. Right. But you don't get to feel it you don't get to play in the outfield. You don't get to take an absolute. And being able to kind of be, be where your feet are and be like, okay, this is where my next 12 months are going to be. Playing, playing at this field was, was very special.
[00:11:59] Speaker A: So I talked to some of your teammates on Saturday night. They said, Caleb fit right in. Good clubhouse guy, working hard. All those kind of things take us back to the fall. You join a new team, what do you do to make a good first impression?
[00:12:14] Speaker B: I think it's really about being genuine.
I'm a guy that doesn't really think about himself and his play. I want the win and I'll do anything what it takes to win. And that means embodying any role that they need me. And I think just being a good clubhouse guy, just being me, it fit well into what they needed. And just like a recruiting process would go. They're gonna go get guys they need. So in terms of any doubt or anything, I felt like I was needed and my personality was needed, my work ethic was needed. So I just try to be who I am and do everything what it takes to help the team win.
[00:12:49] Speaker A: Which of your teammates was helpful? Maybe in. Here's how we do our. Do this drill here at Wichita State or here's where you get the best hamburger in Wichita. Who kind of stepped up and gave you the lay of the land?
[00:13:02] Speaker B: I would definitely have to say it's Mo Mauricio, Milan and then Jordan Rogers. Those two really kind of took in a lot of the new guys and, and made their home available. Just to like, be a part of one of the, one of the guys and see how everybody is and be able to just relax with your teammates.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: Describe Brian Green playing for coach Brian Green. What's that like?
[00:13:25] Speaker B: Coach Green is electric, to say the least. He's. He's exciting. He comes to the ballpark ready to go every day and he's extremely accountable. He, if he ever messes up, he lets us know and he expects that the same from us. So I think having a coach that puts himself first and knowing that he's. He's a man just like everyone else and he's going to make mistakes just gives you complete faith. And to go at 100% and everything and be able to put your, put your body on the line, put your. Be very vulnerable in the moment just for a coach like that.
[00:13:57] Speaker A: And Mike Sweeney mentioned that. I know Brian Greene is big on team building exercises, getting people together. He's used Navy Seals in the past, and it was Team Elite. Is that who you used most recently? Yes, sir. From a player's perspective, what's the benefit of those kind of exercises?
[00:14:13] Speaker B: That's great. My voice is a little scratchy today. That's from the Team Elite. We had a very big, vulnerable first day, and the second day was kind of about getting after it and going all in. And from a player standpoint, you don't really see. You don't really see from the outside how important that stuff is, but being a part of it and being with your teammates and being vulnerable, those things just. They're precious. And thinking about them, like even now, a couple of days ago, you just see how important it is and, and the value in it and how much closer it brings you together and you really feel like you would you go out and dive for those. For those people on your team. It's just baseball. No, but nobody's dying. But it feels like you really got closer and you would do anything for those guys.
[00:14:56] Speaker A: Give us the name of a Shocker pitcher or two who gives you some trouble at the plate.
[00:15:02] Speaker B: Trouble at the plate. Carson Richards. He's. He's extremely good. He. He's. He's very, very heavy fastball guy and. And has some off speed to. To play with it. And then a guy that. Another one. That. That's tough. See, I can't. Can't be giving away too much stuff about our pitchers.
[00:15:19] Speaker A: Yeah. No scouting reports. Yeah, just.
[00:15:21] Speaker B: But Brady Hamilton. Brady Hamilton is an extremely tough ab. He'll. He has. He has a ball that goes either way. Either way across the plate. And he's a very smart pitcher and knows what he's doing up there. So.
[00:15:32] Speaker A: Brady Hamilton, people would be familiar with his name. He had a good freshman year here last year with the Shockers. And I'm looking up Carson to make sure I get his bio. He is a. See a transfer. Yeah, he's one of the transfers from Crowder College. Shockers got several guys from Crowder. Okay, Good names. Trying to give the fans something to. Something to pay attention to. Favorite Major League Baseball team?
[00:15:54] Speaker B: Oh, my family is from New York, so you gotta go New York Yankees.
[00:15:59] Speaker A: Okay. Favorite professional athlete.
[00:16:03] Speaker B: It would definitely be between Ronald Acuna and Mookie Betts. I think I would go Ronald Acuna, though.
[00:16:09] Speaker A: Okay. What do you like about his game?
[00:16:10] Speaker B: Just how he plays the game. He's 100% all the time. He's extremely explosive. Reminds me of myself a little bit. Or I try to emulate my game behind him and around him, and I think he plays the game the right way.
[00:16:25] Speaker A: You're going to play baseball, you're going to take a lot of road trips. You're going to be on a bus, you're going to be on a plane. What's the most important item you use to survive? Like a neck pillow. Do you have snacks? Earbuds? How do you get through that time?
[00:16:37] Speaker B: I'm definitely a snack guy. I'm eating all the time. I probably should eat some better things, but I'm a flavor. I'm a flavor guy. I like things that taste good, so definitely snacks. And then I would definitely say headphones. You know, you like to listen to music, you know, be on social media. So those two things will probably get me through those.
[00:16:56] Speaker A: What's your go to snack?
[00:16:58] Speaker B: That's a tough one. I like to go to a lot of things. I mean, chips. I'll probably go. Maybe some Doritos, some. I like cookies. I'm a big cookie guy. I'm a big sweets guy. Like any brownies? Donuts. Oh, the white powdered donuts. That's my go to right there.
[00:17:13] Speaker A: Okay. They're setting off some alarm bells here for our nutrition people in the athletic department, but I'll let them deal with that. Okay, let's say that your high school or golden west comes to you and says, caleb, we want you to come back and talk to some of our people about getting recruited, about choosing a school. And I guess we should go back. Just to make your story clear. You started out at unlv, spent a year there. Right. And then went to Golden West. So you've been through this recruiting process now. What's your advice for a high school athlete or a young athlete when it comes down to choosing a college?
[00:17:46] Speaker B: I would definitely say search for the people and the place that's going to care about you and you feel that you have the best relationship with. I don't think I would be in the spot I am now if I didn't have those relationships back then. I put my all into relationships that I trusted and I knew that were going to put me in the best case scenario no matter what. And every single coach that I've been with at this point has cared about me more than who I am as a player. So at the end of the day, I would try to look for the best relationship who you truly think cares about you the most and that you have faith in.
[00:18:25] Speaker A: Caleb Duncan, sophomore outfielder for Wichita State Baseball shockers open the season Feb. 14 at McNeese State. They open up at X Stadium on Feb. 28 against Cal State Fullerton. Caleb, thank you very much for your time.
[00:18:39] Speaker B: Thank you guys.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: Hi, this is Rick Niuma, President of Wichita State University. Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast. Each episode I sit down with different guests from Shocker Nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita State University. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
[00:19:26] Speaker B: Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse.
[00:19:28] Speaker A: Podcast courtesy of Wichita State University Strategic Communications.
[00:19:32] Speaker B: We encourage you to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more Roundhouse content at goshockers. Com.
[00:19:41] Speaker A: Malcolm out near the timeline. Left side of the floor to Baker. Ron works deeper to the wing, fires a three. Good. Ron Baker with his third three point field goal of the game and Wichita State goes ahead by four.
