April 3, 2013
By Mike Esse, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Before every home Penn State baseball game a short clip is played on the video board at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. It is a clip from the movie "The Sandlot" where the characters in the film are playing the game of baseball and having fun while doing it, win or lose.
After Penn State's weekend series with Purdue, it was both fitting and ironic that head coach Robbie Wine compared the characters and theme of that movie to one of his players; redshirt freshman infielder Ryky Smith.
While it may seem a little odd that Smith is being compared to a group of 13 year old kids that play baseball on a dilapidated field in their hometown, that is probably the best way to describe the way the York, Pa. native carries himself on and off the baseball diamond.
Smith just wants to have fun. He can do impersonations on the spot of just about anyone and always tries to find a way to make the people around him laugh. He's has no shame in comparing himself to the aforementioned kids from "The Sandlot", because that is what he is.
"That's me, one-hundred percent," said Smith. "Day in and day out, that is what I try to bring to the team. I always revert back to playing as a kid and bringing that mentality to the field and hopefully that translates from player to player."
It does exactly that.
"Everybody loves [his attitude]," said sophomore shortstop Taylor Skerpon. "He is very good at impersonations and that keeps the dugout light. We always look to Ryky in the dugout to start a rally or something like that. He's good at what he does."
Wine has preached over the last few days that he wants his team to get back to having fun.
For Skerpon, that is exactly what Smith has been able to keep at a constant over the past few days, something very important to the Penn State players.
While the current skid isn't fun for Smith and it may be hard at times to try and enjoy the game, he firmly believes that his team must have fun.
"When the going gets tough you always have to revert back to why you are playing the game and hopefully we are all playing the game because it is fun," said Smith. "Winning is fun, everyone knows that, but when you're losing you need to continue to have fun to play this game, even though it is tough sometimes."
That mentality as paid dividends as of late for Smith on a personal level as he was given the opportunity to start the final two games in the Nittany Lions three-game series against Purdue.
Smith saw the opportunity and seized it by going 4-for-8 with three runs scored and one RBI in those two games, starting at first base for just the second and third times all season.
When you combine the rookie's talent with his personality and versatility on the field, he has made a great case to pencil his name into the starting lineup, especially with the mentality that he carries.
"Staying positive and having fun is very important [to me]," said Wine. "[Smith] is one of those ball players that I love having on the field."
While Smith is appreciative of the opportunity his coaches have afforded him, he knows there is more to contribute than just a multi-hit game or a strong defensive effort.
"I could go [hitless] with four strikeouts, but if I helped point something out that helps another guy on the team, that is contributing," said Smith. "It is all about contributing towards a team win, whether you have personal succeed or not."
No matter what, though, win or lose, Smith just wants to have fun. Just like the fictional characters from the dusty field in Los Angeles.
"That type of play, although we are in college and are adults now, you can always turn back to that childish type of play and that always brings the game back into perspective," said Smith.
--NITTANY LIONS--