by By Dan Ninham
Jackson Hill, 18, Oneida, Kiowa and Comanche, has committed to Cowley County Community College this fall to play baseball. His alma mater is Deer Creek HS in Edmond, OK.
Jackson’s accomplishments include being named First Team All-State, First Team All-City, First Team Native All-State, First Team All-Big City, named Deer Creek Team MVP for 2020-2021 Season, and Braums Player of the Week.
“One of the most difficult situations I have experienced in high school was my knee surgery,” recalled Jackson. “In May of my freshman year, doctors discovered a part of dead bone in my femur that was causing me discomfort for a couple years.”
“I was put in a full leg cast and crutches for the whole summer, causing me to miss out on important baseball tournaments, nights full of fun with friends, and everything else a teenage boy wishes for in a summer break.”
“My goal before the surgery was to play college baseball, and maybe even try to go to the MLB, so I had a choice to make,” said Jackson. “I could either accept that my strength and baseball skills would never be the same, or I could put my head down and work my way back up to the top.”
“As soon as I was cleared for physical activities, I started to work,” said Jackson. “I began to go to the gym regularly, got back into the batting cage to work on my swing, got my throwing arm back in shape, and started eating correctly.”
“I put a tremendous amount of extra hours into my game. I had to make some hard sacrifices along the way, but it was the best decision I ever made. I am now on one of the best travel baseball teams in Oklahoma and the starting player for my school’s varsity team,” added Jackson.
“I did not let one setback define me, but let it drive me to improve every single day,” said Jackson. “Now I am even committed to play at one of the top baseball junior colleges in the nation, Cowley County Community College.”
Aspiring student-athletes have many followers. Jackson shares words of wisdom for the youth: “If you have a dream, you only have one life to pursue it. Might as well put everything you got into it.”
“Roland Baza was my high school baseball coach, and a very good mentor throughout my high school career,” said Jackson. “He believed in me through thick and thin, and was there for me through my best, as well as my worst. I really respect Coach Baza.”
“Jack is an outstanding player, student, and young man,” said Coach Roland Baza. “He is the type of player that wants to be in the big moment and prepares for that every day. I spend a lot of time at our field preparing it for games and our season, and Jack would always call or text me asking to come up and get work in. We would go to lock up our facilities after games, hours after everyone else has left, and Jack would still be in the cages swinging. That’s how he approaches everything he does.”
“His school work, baseball, and his family. He never goes in to something he has made a priority half-heartedly. That’s why I know he will be successful in college and beyond.”
Jackson’s dad Jamison Hill talked about his son the baseball player. He said: “Jack has always loved baseball. I can’t remember a time where he didn’t want to practice or play when organized or just a game in a hotel hallway or parking lot during tournaments. If there was a ball or something that could act as a ball, game on.”
“As he’s got older, that love hasn’t changed. Now it includes working out to get stronger, being more conscientious about his health, and he has always listened to and learned from his coaches. I think those things are going to help him be successful at this next level.”
“He is very happy to be playing at Cowley County CC and we’re excited to see what happens next.”
Photo Credit: Gray Photography
