Stevenson University junior first baseman Justin Anderson, this week’s CAC INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete, certainly has baseball as a thread through his life.  Starting at age five, he’s progressed to earning a berth in the starting lineup for the Mustangs.  He has been among the top three hitters on the team in each of his three seasons at Stevenson, including a .342 batting average that leads the starters this season.  He was also a first-team All-CAC honoree in 2010.

What is your background in the sport you play?   I started playing baseball when I was 5. I learned just about everything I know from my father. I played for Roland Park Rec/Travel until I was about 13 and then entered the Baltimore Metro Baseball League. I played my high school ball at Calvert Hall under Coach Lou Eckerl. I stayed in the BMB for about 5 years then entered the Maryland Collegiate Baseball League last year.

What is your favorite spot on campus?   I have two spots on campus that I spend most of my time. The first place would have to be our practice field. Out on the field I feel at peace and I can just focus on baseball. The other place on campus I spend most of my time would be in the Academic Link. I go there in between classes and am able to get a good amount of work done. It’s always nice to be able to get work done so you don’t have to do it after a long day of classes.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?   Other than my team, I am involved with the Mayor’s Christmas Parade in Baltimore every year.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   There are two moments that were very memorable to me during my collegiate career. The first one would be our victory at Salisbury last year. It was a great team effort and it was a big win for us. The second moment would be during a game against York my freshman year when I was able to get the game winning hit in the top of the 9^th.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The most important societal issue facing college students today would have to be the expensive nature of a college education. The cost of books is one aspect of the expensive part of college. Most students need to take out loans in order to pay tuition and when they graduate, they already find themselves in the hole because they need to pay back the loans.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?   As a commuter, one item that I would change is gas prices. Over the past couple months, the gas prices have risen again and it is a major problem for people who have to do a lot of travelling. Especially around the holidays when the prices rise just because they can, it can be a very big hit to one’s bank account. The only way to change it is to write or put in calls to local Congress men/women in hopes that they can do something to get the government to regulate the prices better.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  My major is Business Administration. The most important thing that I have learned in this discipline is that success isn’t going to come over night. It is going to take a lot of hard work and time in order to achieve your goals.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   There were two influential people in my life. Mr. Shawn Fisher, my coach when I played for Fowble Baseball, and Mr. Bill Becker, the general manager of Fowble Baseball both taught not only the game of baseball, but how to be an all around good person. Mr. Becker and Mr. Fisher stressed playing as a family and every minute playing for Fowble Baseball demonstrated that concept. It was a pleasure playing baseball for these men and I can only hope to turn out like the person that Mr. Becker and Mr. Fisher strived for us to be every day.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?   One piece of advice that I would give to elementary school children would be to work hard and keep up with their grades. The better the grades, the more chances will open up to you in the future.  

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  I would have to say my favorite form of entertainment today is just sitting around with friends playing some video games after a long day. It passes the time and it’s a relaxing way to end the day.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  My favorite team is the Baltimore Orioles. Granted they haven’t had a winning season in 13 years, they are my team and I’m going to stick with them. Eventually they will turn the ship around. My favorite sports person would have to be Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. He has been through a lot in his life, and being able to turn his life around from being an alcoholic to the American League MVP last year gives people hope for their situations.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?   Babe Ruth- Through quotes that I have read, he lived life to the fullest and was one of the greatest baseball players ever. That would make for a good dinner.
Brian Wilson- This man is the closer for the San Francisco Giants. It would be pretty cool to ask him how the journey was through the playoffs and eventually how it was to win the World Series. He would definitely have some pretty funny answers.
Warren Buffett- As one of the wealthiest people in the world, I would have to ask Mr. Buffett what his secrets were and what his keys to success in the business world are.