Under The Gun: Will James

Under The Gun: Will James

Name: Will James
Age: 27
Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina
College: Guilford
Started with Dirtbags: 2013

Talk about your playing days and how you got started in baseball?

I grew up being very competitive and started playing baseball at an early age. I played High School baseball at DH Conley, then went on to pitch at Guilford College.

You’re the pitching coach for Ayden Grifton High School, how long have you been doing that?

Been coaching at Ayden Grifton ever since I graduated from Guilford College in 2013.

What made you want to get into coaching?

I started coaching because I love the game of baseball from every aspect.  I had many great coaches over the years that influenced my life. My goal coaching is to make a difference in a player’s life.

What’s your philosophy on pitching? What do you tell your pitchers?

Focus on good mechanics while also allowing them to develop their own style. The approach I tell my pitchers is to attack each hitter and focus on one pitch at a time. The most important pitch is the next pitch.

What made you want to get involved with Dirtbags Baseball?

Dirtbags Baseball is the best of the best, and being able to coach in the best showcase organization in the country is an honor.

How long have you been involved with the Dirtbags?

I have been with the Dirtbags since the Summer of 2013.

What’s your message you try to install in the Dirtbags players?

Play like a Dirtbag, you never know who is watching. I preach max effort because that’s the Dirtbag way.

When you hear the word “Dirtbags” what comes to mind?

Best organization around that is well respected

Most memorable game coaching with the Dirtbags?

Playing at Lynchburg College in a semifinal game tied 0-0 after 5 and it started raining, making the field unplayable.  We then finished the game across town at Liberty University and won 2-0 in extra innings over Dirtbags All Black on way to winning the championship. Got to beat the best to be the best.

What are you looking forward to the most about the summer?

Competing and helping future players take their talents to the next level.

Best player you have coached with the Dirtbags?

Cory Wood (2016 Dirtbag Captain and current Coastal Carolina University infielder).

Stay tuned for another exciting “Under The Gun” interview coming up tomorrow…