School: Hatboro-Horsham
Baseball
Favorite team: Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite memory competing in sports: “I played at Cooperstown Dreams Park a year younger than everyone and was inducted into the Junior Hall of Fame when I was 11 years old.”
Most embarrassing moment while competing in sports: “As a sophomore in JV, I came in to pitch in the fifth inning and let up zero runs. The next inning, I had to face their best hitter who already had two homeruns, and I let up a grand slam that has still not landed. That is when I retired from pitching.”
Future plans: “I plan on attending Gwynedd Mercy College where I will continue my baseball career and major in business.”
Words to live by: “Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.” (Bob Feller)
One goal before turning 30: “To work with my father in the orthopedic business as a salesman and starting a family of my own.”
One thing people don’t know about me: “I have to chew Strawberry Bubblicious gum every game and I am very superstitious.”
By Scott Huff
Hatboro-Horsham senior shortstop Nick Riccione made an investment in his athletic future – literally.
Cost - $200.00 a month.
Riccione hired himself a personal trainer – Gordon Kocher – and from October to February it was all business.
“I knew that if I was paying for the trainer with my own money, that I was going to be committed,” said Riccione. “The lifting I did with Gordy made a tremendous difference in both my strength and my velocity.
“I knew that I wanted to play in college, and I knew I had to improve as a player,” added Riccione. “I didn’t just do the lifting, I worked on hitting and fielding drills all during the off season.”
The off-season regiment did not go unnoticed by Hatter head coach Peter Moore.
“Nick has a tremendous work ethic that he passes on to the other players on the team,” said Moore. “He is one of the captains on our team for good reason – he pushes his teammates in a positive way.
“Nick doesn’t say a whole lot, but when he does talk, everyone listens,” added Moore. “He has done a ton of work to get better.”
“I try to pick kids up when they need picking up,” said Riccione. “I try to keep the team focused on what we have to get done and keep everything under control.”
Riccione hits fourth in the Hatter lineup – a peculiar spot for a 5-foot, 8-inch player.
“When you look at Nick, you think of a leadoff or number two hitter,” said Moore. “But he has a lot of pop in his bat.
“Nick is very disciplined at the plate, and he has hit a couple of homeruns already this year,” added Moore. “Plus he has the ability to drive in the clutch runs.”
“I think my size actually is a plus when I hit out of the number four spot,” said Riccione. “Pitchers might not think that I have very much power, but with all the lifting I did, I have been able to drive the ball better.
“I go and hit in a batting cage almost every day after practice,” continued Riccione. “I want to be the best hitter I can possibly be.”
Riccione’s offensive performance has been impressive so far this season. He is hitting .323 with five extra-base hits and 13 RBI. He has also scored seven runs and has four stolen bases.
The off-season work has also helped Riccione in playing the field. Last season, he was a second baseman and an outfielder – but he always wanted to be a shortstop.
“Last year at the end of the season, I met with coach Moore and told him that I would like to play shortstop,” said Riccione. “I also told him that I would work hard during the off-season and come back as a better defensive player.”
And that has happened.
“Nick has a great first step and anticipates well,” said Moore. “And he now has the arm strength to make the plays in the hole.”
Baseball is the primary focus in Riccione’s life at the moment.
“I played soccer up until the 11th grade, but I gave it up this season to concentrate on baseball,” said Riccione. “I really enjoy the game – both playing and watching.
“I watch the MLB (Major League Baseball) network all the time,” added Riccione. “And of course, I spend a lot of time watching the Phillies.”
Riccione is not only a talent in on the baseball field, but in the classroom as well.
“Nick has very good grades – A’s and B’s – and he works as hard in the classroom as he does on the field,” said Moore. “He is the type of kid that any parents would be proud of.”
Riccione will take his talents on the field and in the classroom to Gwynedd Mercy College next fall.
“I looked into their business program, and it is one of the top programs in the area,” said Riccione. “Plus it is close to home and my family can come and see me play.
“I really was impressed with Coach (Paul) Murphy,” added Riccione of the Griffins head coach. “Gwynedd also had a great atmosphere on campus – and I really liked the weight room.”
And that weight room is free.
