College Corner: Former Ursinus Pitcher Zeb Engle Aiming for the Majors

2009: Former Spring-Ford High School pitcher Zeb Engle sat and listened intently to the Major League Baseball Draft as his time at Ursinus College was coming to a close. He had been told by a few scouts that he had a shot in the later rounds and hoped they were right.

As the seconds ticked away and the draft came to a close, Engle realized he was not going to be drafted.

"I remember sitting there and being really disappointed when I didn’t hear my name called," Engle said. "The determination I have helped me get through it."

Determination is a word that rings loudly in the mind of Engle. Throughout the one year he spent out of Ursinus out of baseball, he occupied his time in adult leagues. He was happy that he kept himself in good shape, as he received an email to come play with the American Association - an independent professional baseball league. He played for the George Southshore Rail Cats in Indiana in 2010, but wasn't done there.

Engle got a better offer to play with the Florence Freedom in Kentucky with the Frontier League, which hosts some younger baseball prospects who may have had a bad year in the minors or had a few injuries here and there. Engle attributes the fine training he had in the Spring-Ford area for his "determination factor" and all of his current successes.

"I feel like the coaches all the way from middle school on up, Spring-Ford is known for its tradition, much like Boyertown – working hard and learning the right way to play the game," Engle said, noting Rick Harrison as one of those coaches.

Engle coaches junior varsity at Holey Valley and Harrison coaches the varsity squad. While he plays professional ball and is looking for a full-time teaching job in physical education, Engle also enjoys relating back to the kids.

"I think it’s a really unique opportunity for me," said Engle. "They keep me fresh and make me remember what it’s like at their level. I think it’s also nice for the players I’m coaching to see me. I’m not a huge, big name player, but I still have the opportunity to play at the professional level right now. For them to work with me and see that I’m just another normal guy – they get to see working hard will get you far whether you’re the biggest, strongest guy on the team or just a hard worker."

That attitude, said Engle, came from the high school level under coaches like Bruce Brobst and Jamie Scheck.

"[They] really helped prepare me to be a high school talent and on higher after that," Engle said. "Teaching through hard work, dedication, the right way to play the game and just handling yourself like a professional even though you might not be at that level yet. I think that goes a long way with the success that I’ve had personally."

Engle played four years at Ursinus after interest from head coach Brian Thomas. He considered his time there more for academics, but still keeping baseball as one of his big desires.

"My time at Ursinus, I really enjoyed," Engle said. "I didn’t really get any big D1 offers. I was considered in high school to be the little lefty and didn’t really throw hard. I wasn’t the biggest or strongest player out there. I worked hard and tried to play the game the right way. I knew that whether a baseball career was evident or not, I was set up to have a successful life after college."

The "little lefty" just returned to his Spring City home on Tuesday from Kentucky. Through his travels, he's been to Winipeg, Canada all the way down to Texas. He will continue his career in baseball in hopes of a shot at the majors some day.

"I got to see a lot of cool places," Engle said. "It’s pretty neat and a fun experience all around."