Saint Mary's Gaels Baseball "Spotlight"
2/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 9, 2006
The following is the first in a series of weekly stories featuring Saint Mary's baseball players called SMC Baseball Spotlight. Each Thursday until the end of the season, We'll feature a different player. Today: Eric Cattoni.
Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's College junior Eric Cattoni seems like your everyday college baseball player, but there is much more to this exceptional athlete. On the outside you'll find a lean 5'8, 170 lb outfielder who plays the game hard and with visible passion. Internally you'll find a determined student with colossal goals.
While playing baseball in the fall for the Gaels, Catt - as he is called by his coaches and teammates - manages to maintain a 4.0 grade point average while taking pre-med courses. When asked about his success in the classroom and if it comes easy to him, he just smiled.
"I don't think it is ever easy to receive good grades. Some people say it is because I have a good memory. But I think I have excelled in the classroom because I enjoy learning. I put as much into the books as I do baseball - I am diligent about it. My parents used to tell me, 'What you are is what you know.'
In a fall semester chemistry course Eric scored a 100% on his first test - the first perfect score his professor had given in 16 years of teaching at SMC. The class average was 56%.
Eric gives credit to his father Mauro as major influence in all aspects of his life. "My father was a phenomenal athlete, much better than me. He's always told me stories of his playing days that motivate me."
Mauro was diagnosed with a neurological disease when he was in his mid-twenties. "Despite all the doctor visits and all the bad times, my father was always positive and never let his ailment become a disability. He has beaten amazing odds to have his good health today. Looking at my dad and all he has been through has motivated me to be my best. If all I have to worry about is a test or a game, it's nothing in comparison."
A pre-med major is not very forgiving of college baseball player's schedule. With chemistry labs, calculus classes, and physic lectures all in direct competition for Eric's time with baseball, juggling time becomes second nature.
"Time management has also been a big part of my success. The key for me so far has been to set short academic goals and make sure I see them through. I always make sure that I have all of my work done, so when I get to the field I can leave all of the distractions in the parking lot."
Eric, who hails from Lethbridge, Alberta, is a long way from home. But the distance doesn't seem to bother him.
Cattoni has lived in the US for the past three years. "Being away from my family is tough, but I have a great support system in my parents and my sister, which has made the move easier." Cattoni's twin sister, Alexandra, attends the University of Alberta.
Prior to Saint Mary's College, Eric played junior college baseball at the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) in Twin Falls. He put up very good numbers in his two years under head coach Boomer Walker, finishing with a .320 batting average, 107 hits, 12 triples, 20 doubles, and 50 RBI. He was 40-49 in stolen bases while hitting in the lead off spot and was selected All-Region both years. Southern Idaho plays in the Scenic West Conference, which is a wooden bat conference. His success reached the classroom as well - Eric maintained a 4.0 GPA during his two-year stay at Southern Idaho.
"Eric is an amazing kid. He is a competitive player that possesses many weapons on the field. And the work he has done in the classroom proves to me that he is the type of kid we are looking for in our program," said Saint Mary's head coach Jedd Soto.
Eric's response to his college baseball experience so far has been very positive. "Growing up in Canada, Division I baseball is put on a very high pedestal. To be playing ball in the U.S., I couldn't be happier."
Q and A with Eric Cattoni:
Q: Besides baseball, did you play any other sports while growing up?
Catt: "I was a competitive gymnast for many years. I was also involved in track and field in the 100, 200 relay, triple jump, and the discus.
Q: Who is your favorite professional team?
Catt: The Toronto Blue Jays.
Q: If you could meet any celebrity, alive, or dead who would it be?
Catt: Alive I would have to say Joe Carter. He is the guy who won the World Series for the Blue Jays with a game winning home run off of Mitch Williams of the Phillies in 1993. Man, what a great moment that was if you were a Blue Jay fan, I went nuts! Dead, I would say Frank Sinatra, I really enjoy his music. He had such a presence, it would be awesome to shake his hand.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
Catt: With my schedule lately it seems to be sleep, and eat, but I enjoy reading fiction books, I play the guitar, and I have a very strong interest in theoretical physics. Other than that: baseball, baseball, baseball.
Q: What are some of the books you read?
Catt: I enjoy all different types of fiction. I just read Angels, and Demons by Dan Brown, it is intense!
Q: What major league player do you feel you model your own game after?
Catt: Juan Pierre of the Florida Marlins. He can run, throw, bunt anywhere, and hit a good lead off. He's fun to watch.
Q: What are your thoughts, and outlook for the 2006 Gaels Baseball team?
Catt: The guys that I play with here at Saint Mary's are the most talented group I have ever played with in my life. There is such a great vibe on the team. We have older players with poise, but we also have a great group of freshman, like Cory Miller, and Cody Guymon who give us great energy. I think past teams at Saint Mary's went into the season with the hopes of winning, but that has changed. This group knows, and expects to win every time we step on the field. I can wait to get it going!
Make sure to check out future and archived features on the right sidebar of the baseball page labeled SMC Basbeall Spotlight on SMCgaels.com
BSB | Saint Mary's vs. LMU Highlights, 5-8-26
Friday, May 08
BSB | Eric Valenzuela First Pitch at SF Giants Game
Tuesday, May 05
BSB | Saint Mary's vs. Seattle U Highlights, 5-3-26
Sunday, May 03
BSB | Saint Mary's vs. Seattle U Highlights, 5-2-26
Saturday, May 02
