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5 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS - Evan Oswald, Butler BlueSox

Evan Oswald, shortstop for the Butler BlueSox, waits for the team's first game to start Thursday at Pullman Park in Butler.

Butler County is filled with a variety of people doing interesting things.

This weekly feature offers snapshots of some of them by asking them five questions. The latest installment appears below.

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Evan Oswald, a shortstop on the University of Pittsburgh baseball team, is one of three Butler High School graduates playing this summer for the Butler BlueSox.

The BlueSox are in their third year in the collegiate wooden bat Prospect League and play their home games at Pullman Park. Here, Oswald shares insights before the team's opening game on Thursday.

QUESTION: What is your favorite part about baseball?ANSWER: I love the thrill of making a great play. Whether it be a clutch hit or an athletic defensive play, the reaction it creates is fantastic.

QUESTION: Who was your favorite major leaguer when you were a young child?ANSWER: (Pittsburgh Pirate shortstop) Jack Wilson. He was an awesome player, always making acrobatic plays in the field. I loved his attitude and approach to the game.My favorite player now is (New York Mets shortstop) Jose Reyes. He has that same attitude and he's always smiling when he's playing, always happy. You can tell he loves the game.”

QUESTION: What was the best coaching tip you ever received?ANSWER: I can tell you the best coach I had — Ryan Leahy, an assistant at Pitt during my freshman year. He's since moved on, but he always pushed me to improve my game. He forced the best out of me and I'll never forget that.He always told me to play each game like it's the last time I'll ever play baseball, because you never know.

QUESTION: What do you remember about the first home run you ever hit?I was 10 years old, playing for the Reds in the East Butler Farm League. The pitch came in on the outside of the plate and I stuck my bat out. I couldn't believe the ball sailed over the right field wall. It was the best moment of my life.

QUESTION: What was the funniest thing you ever saw happen on a baseball field?

ANSWER: Last summer, I was playing for Saxonburg in the Eagle County League down in Cranberry. We brought in a left-handed reliever and his first pitch sailed over the backstop and out of the stadium. It was hilarious. I can't say the pitcher's name. I can't do that to the guy.

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