ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kobi Nethercutt

Kobi Nethercutt has been with the Dr. Phillips Little League since he started playing baseball at the age of 8. During the 12U and Juniors All-Star Tournament, Kobi helped the 12U team become district champions by pitching 8-and-one-third innings, allowing only two hits and four walks while striking out 10. Along with the Dr. Phillips 12U team, Kobi will represent District 14 at sectionals July 15 to 17 at Union Park Little League. 

When did you first start playing baseball? 
When I was 8 years old, so since 2018.

Why baseball? 
Because my friend’s dad asked me if I’d be interested in playing, so we signed up. It was something my dad liked to do when he was a kid, so we thought it’d be fun. 

Do you play baseball a lot with your dad? 
Yeah, we catch a lot and he does help. 

What is your favorite position to play? 
I like to hit, so wherever my coach needs me and I can help my team the most. 

What do you think when you are on the pitcher’s mount before throwing a pitch? 
I just think about what my dad always says and preaches — just try to throw three strikes and do your job in that moment. So, if my moment is pitching and I need to throw three strikes, that’s what I’m thinking. 

What do you love most about pitching? 
I like that you get to help your team out. You are the main dude, you’re the main guy that’s going to go out there and just try to win the ball game for your team and … your teammates rely on you for that. 

Do you prefer hitting or fielding? 
I prefer hitting just because I like everything that goes into it and making good contact with the ball. 

What do you enjoy most about being a part of your team? 
I love the passion that we have for the game and how much we love playing as a team — and just the group. 

How do you feel about winning districts and heading to sectionals in a week? 
I think we are confident but we know we need to take it one game at a time; just keep it simple and take it day by day. 

What are the three things that make you the happiest?
Baseball, my family and, I’d say, God. 

What’s your favorite hobby besides baseball? 
I’d say playing basketball with my friends. I play for my school, and I have a summer league I am playing in right now. 

What’s your favorite thing to do during the summer? 
Probably be out here (Dr. Phillips Little League) or hang out with my friends. 

Best vacation place you’ve been at? 
Colorado. I like that it snowed there and we had a good place to stay. It was a lot of fun. 

What’s your favorite movie? 
I think “42.” It’s about Jackie Robinson, so I think that’s an inspiring movie, and I really enjoyed watching it. 

What type of music do you listen to? 
Any music that kind of pumps me up, so maybe pop or something like that. 

What was your favorite class last year? 
Social Studies, I’d say. It was a lot of fun, and we had a good teacher. I don’t really like modern-day history, and last year we learned about olden times history and about the Roman Empire. 

What classes are you looking forward to taking this next year? 
Advanced math, I think. I’m excited for that. I’m pretty good with numbers. 

What’s your favorite food?
I like noodles. 

If you could have a superpower, which one would it be and why?
Probably to pass time just because I think it’d help a lot and you’d get to work on some things, especially on being busy all the time. 

Who’s your favorite superhero? Why? 
Spider-Man. Just because I think he’s cool, he shoots webs out of his fingers and does pretty cool things. 

What’s your favorite Marvel movie? Why?
“Spider-Man: Far from Home.” It’s a good movie. I liked the characters and everybody (who) played the roles they were good (at) acting. 

Three things on your bucket list?
Jump out of a plane; I think that’d be cool. I want to be able to dunk and rob a homerun; I haven’t been able to do that.