Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Nick Langsdorf - Large and in

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Tony Altobelli

Newport Harbor High first baseman Nick Langsdorf likes to compare

his type of play to that of Pete Rose or Ty Cobb; hustle and scrappy.

Too bad “Charlie Hustle” or “The Georgia Peach” weren’t 6-feet-4, 200

pounds or they might have put up some serious numbers.

“That’s the way I like to play the game; all out,” Langsdorf said. “I try

to give it all I’ve got every game and I try to have that tenacious

mentality for each game I play.”

That would explain Langsdorf’s numbers: .397 batting average and seven

home runs, despite numerous efforts from opposing pitchers not to give

the big guy something good to hit.

“He’s really done a great job of making adjustments throughout the

season,” Newport Coach Jim Kiefer said of Langsdorf. “He knows he’s not

gonna get too many fastballs over the middle of plate so he tries to hit

the ball where it’s pitched. He’s doing a great job of taking the pitch

on the outside corner and driving it to right field, instead of pulling

the ball.”

Last week at the Pride of the Coast Tournament Langsdorf went 4 for 9

with a home run, double, two intentional walks, three runs scored and

three RBIs in Sailor wins over Bolsa Grande and Orange.

“It can be a little frustrating at times,” Langsdorf said, regarding the

team’s struggles. “But we’ve got a great bunch of guys on this team.

We’ve played together for quite a while and it’s always fun playing with

your friends every day.”

The fun is showing in his numbers, which are astounding considering he is

the opposition’s center of attention.

“I’m still really shooting to hit .400,” Langsdorf said. “I’ve been

getting close, but for some reason, it keeps alluding me. Oh well,

there’s still some season left.”

Langsdorf, a three-year varsity baseball and football player, was a vital

part of this year’s CIF Southern Section Division VI championship

football team as a tight end and defensive end for Coach Jeff Brinkley’s

squad.

“That was an unbelievable experience,” Langsdorf said. “Playing for Coach

Brinkley really taught me a lot, not just about football, but about life

in general.”

That work ethic from football has carried over into his baseball career,

which Kiefer claims is his key to success.

“He’s been a consistent worker for us, even back when he was a

sophomore,” Kiefer said. “It’s sometimes difficult for him to be a vocal

leader, but his work ethic is something for the younger guys to look at

and follow.”

When teammate Scott Beerer went down midway through the season with a

back injury, Langsdorf has tried to pick up his leadership

responsibilities. “I think when Scott went down, all the seniors had to

pick it up a little bit,” Langsdorf said. “I’ve tried to be a little more

vocal and I’ll say something if it’s necessary. I try to let my actions

speak for themselves.”

Langsdorf will be heading south following his tenure at Newport Harbor,

to the University of San Diego to continue his football career and

perhaps baseball as well.

“They really haven’t seen me play baseball, so I’m gonna try out for them

when football ends,” Langsdorf said.

According to Kiefer, with Langsdorf’s size and power, one can never say

never.

“There were some concerns about his defense, but he’s improved a first

base this year,” Kiefer said. “Most likely, he’ll be a designated hitter

at the college level. When you’re 6-4, 200 and you can hit like Nick,

teams will find a spot for you.”