Doing What It Takes To Play College Ball

When Ted Cullinane played baseball for the East Greenwich High School Avengers, he was the golden boy: MVP his senior year, All Division, All Star. So when he was the last player cut from the team his freshman year at Holy Cross, it was tough.

“Getting cut last year was one of the worst experiences I've faced as an athlete,” recalled Cullinane recently. “To try out with the team all fall and then to be told that there wasn't a spot for me was awful to hear.”

But he didn’t quit.

“Getting cut humbled me and taught me how much harder I needed to work in the off season in order to come back the next year to make the team,” he said. He kept playing baseball, using the way he felt when he was cut to motivate himself to work harder.

“Besides lifting weights, and attending a speed and agility camp run at the high school, I played for the baseball team Brother's Oven, based out of the Sunset League in Newport this past summer,” he said. “There, I was able to relax and regain the confidence in myself as a baseball player and get back to playing the game I loved.”

Last fall, he returned to tryouts at Holy Cross knowing what to expect. “Physically, I knew the demands of what a two-month fall season would entail and how I needed to take care of my body during that time,” he said. “Mentally, I was more mature and aware of my surroundings, which allowed me to better focus and concentrate on making the team.”

So far it’s been a great season.

“I've loved playing on the team. Being able to travel to play and compete at top-ranked schools like Texas A&M and Clemson has been amazing,” he said. “Similarly, being able to travel to well-known schools and win has made the experience that much better. So far it’s been exciting to see the results of what the team has worked on and practiced during the off season.”