ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Joshua Ojeda

Foundation Academy baseball team freshman shortstop Joshua Ojeda recently was named MVP at the 14U PG End of Summer Classic, which took place from Aug. 11 to 13 in Sanford.

How did it feel when you were named MVP of the tournament?
It was a big accomplishment, because I was blessed enough to finish top in the tournament in hitting and overall performance, so it is a really big accomplishment for me. 

Tell us about your years as a baseball player.
I started when I was 4 years old in Little League and T-ball, and I’ve been playing ever since. I did a little bit of soccer, but I just liked baseball better. I feel like it fit better with me. 

What is your earliest memory playing baseball? 
Probably when I was about 8 years old. It was raining outside, everything was muddy — the whole field — and (my dad and I) were playing. It was so fun. I had to ride back in the trunk, because we were so muddy.

What do you love most about baseball as a sport? 
Just the competitiveness and that every game is different; you don’t know what’s going to happen. You have to be on your toes and ready for the next pitch. 

What do you believe baseball has taught you on and off the field? 
A lot of discipline, how you have to stay healthy and your body has to be healthy … and that you have to be really dedicated to the sport. 

Do you have a favorite drill at practice? 
I love taking ground balls and hitting in general. I love doing short hops when I’m fielding. 

What do you think makes you a unique player on the baseball field?
Probably my size. I have a really long arm span, so I can get to a lot of balls people don’t think I can get to as an infield. 

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team? 
I try to do the best I can to make sure everybody is in the right spot, helping out if they don’t know something and just doing the best I can. 

Do you have a favorite professional baseball player? 
I love watching Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz. I’ve met Lindor a couple of times. I’m really close to him, and I love how he plays the game. With Elly De La Cruz, I think we have similar physique. He’s a very long. lengthy shortstop, so I can relate to him. 

What is your favorite MLB team? 
I love the Tampa Bay Rays. I’ve always liked them, because they are in the same state, and I just love how they do so (well), and they don’t spend a lot of money on buying off the players, so they develop their players really well. 

What is your favorite hobby? 
I love fishing. 

What do you like to do on the weekend?
I just like hanging out, in general. I like spending time with my brother when his family comes over.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? 
Probably a fishing pole, any sort of ball — maybe a volleyball — because it can bounce, and I can use it for a lot of things, and then probably a knife. 

What is your favorite movie? 
I always loved “Home Alone.” 

Who is you favorite superhero? Why? 
Spider-Man. I feel like he is super powerful, but he has a good personality and a good character, in general. It would be cool to web-sling everywhere. 

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? 
To rewind a bit, so if I make a mistake or something, I can fix it. 

What are three places you’d like to visit? Why? 
Definitely Aruba; Venezuela, when it gets better there; and Paris. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why?
Probably when Jackie Robinson was coming into the MLB, because he struggled with a lot of adversity. I’d want to see how that felt and the things he went through.  

What color would you say represents your personality? Why?
Probably orange. It expresses my happiness and laughter. 

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? 
A cheetah, because they are super fast and get places quickly.