Quick Hits: Anthony Bubba

Quinnipiac University pitcher Anthony Bubba has been as steady as they come so far this summer for the Nighthawks. Going into his scheduled start on Thursday against the Mystic Schooners, the right-hander owns a 3.00 ERA and has struck a batter per inning.

Before Monday night’s contest against the Valley Blue Sox, Bubba sat down with Upper Valley Nighthawks Beat Writer Thaddeus Sawyer to reflect on his time spent in Vermont, Connecticut and youth basketball.

Upper Valley Nighthawks: “What has been the most surprising aspect of Vermont to you so far?”

Anthony Bubba: “I think, going into it, I knew that there wasn't gonna be a lot to do. 
There was just gonna be a lot of traveling and everything, but I didn't understand how much it was going to be. Talking to [Nighthawks catcher Cam Boardman] throughout the year, he was like, ‘my house isn't really near anything, you’re going to get very natured.’ I got natured. 
It's been a lot of fun just getting a new experience because it's a lot different than New Jersey is, but coming here just really opened my eyes to how different [other] parts of the country are. It was a lot of fun.”

UVN: “Has Cam showed you around Vermont at all?”

AB: “Oh yeah. We went golfing at some random golf course like 40 minutes from his house. We’re going hiking on Wednesday, and I think he’s taking me to some river to go rafting at some point next week.”

UVN: “Are you a good golfer?”

AB: “Oh, no. 
No, no, no.”

UVN: “What’s your handicap?”

AB: “I'm gonna go around 17 right now, 18-ish. Plausible to play. ”

UVN: “Working with Cam behind the plate both at the University of Hartford and this summer, how important has that consistency at catcher been for you?”

AB: “I think it's awesome because, just being able to get used to someone, you guys are able to read each other. If I go into an outing and I don't have something, he's able to see that earlier. If I see that he's not catching something well that day, I know where to throw the ball and how to get him so that we're working on the same page at all times. It just gives us an advantage in-game because we know each other, and the hitters don't know either of us.”

UVN: “What has it been like living with Cam this summer?”

AB: “It’s awesome. I mean, he’s something. It’s very quiet in the house. The driving is a lot, but everything with the house and his parents is awesome, so it’s really great.”

UVN: “How hard is it going to be leaving Cam and Julian Rondon with you all transferring to different Division I programs for next year?”

AB: “It's not going to be fun. I just got so used to [living with them]. I’ve lived with Julian for three years now and me and Cam were roommates this past year. 
Just being able to get that new experience is going to be fun, but leaving the people and what I've known is not going to be easy.”

UVN: “How did you decide on committing to Quinnipiac University for next year?”

AB: “My big thing going into college out of high school was that I had made a connection with one of our coaches at Hartford. 
Going into the portal, I wanted to find that same type of thing. Talking to the pitching coach at Quinnipiac, I kind of found that connection. Just being able to have that and see that was really the big thing that led me there.”

UVN: “Both universities you’ve played for are in Connecticut. What do you like about the state?”

AB: “I think it's just proximity to home. 
It's not right there where I'm home every single weekend, but, if I need to get home, I can. It's just a really good area where it's an easy drive to get there, get back. The people around there, I already know, so being able to have that familiarity with where I am and just see the same people whenever I need to is really awesome.”

UVN: “Did you play any other sports growing up?”

AB: “I am one of the most unathletic people you’ll ever meet. 
I played rec basketball growing up, so bad at it. I think that's it. 
I played rec basketball and I was terrible.”

UVN: “If you had to play any other position on the field, what would you be playing?”

AB: “I think I'd play second [base]. You're not the captain of either the infield or the outfield, but you still have the responsibility of being a middle infielder. Fielding ground balls is fun.”

UVN: “Do you ever take ground balls pregame, just to get some reps in?”

AB: “Here and there. I'll take one off the chest, and then I just never want to do it again. I'll take a week off and then go back to it.”

UVN: “Obviously, you have a great mustache. Who on the team do you think has the best facial hair?”

AB: “Anthony Greco. Anthony Greco's mustache is the best thing ever.”