Meet the Jackfish: Matt Hilderbrandt
Matt Hilderbrandt looks more like an offensive lineman than a first baseman.
The 24-year-old Lindsay native is listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds and appears tough as nails.
But looks can be deceiving.
Hilderbrandt is the resident jokester for the Welland Jackfish, a guy who always has a smile on his face and takes pride in running the clubhouse music.
“I’ve always tried to be a guy they could come to and (enjoy) making everybody laugh and enjoy themselves,” Hilderbrandt said.
Hilderbrandt thought his career might be over after attending Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland and Limestone University in South Carolina.
“My last year at school, thinking it was all done, and then coming here and having another chance, you never know when it’s going to end so you just have to soak it up and enjoy it,” Hilderbrandt said.
Hilderbrandt make an immediate impact with the Jackfish last season batting a robust .347 with seven homers and 33 runs batted in and was named to the Intercounty Baseball League’s second all-star team.
He joined the Jackfish after being recruited by manager Brian Essery.
“Ess reached out and told me all about it and it sounded awesome and it’s even better than he said,” Hilderbrandt said. “He said fans are great and a lot of people come out and support it and then I get here and he undersold it. It’s unbelievable how many come out and support it and how everyone loves it here.”
Hilderbrandt played both hockey and baseball growing up — his father was drafted by the Peterborough Petes — but ultimately hung up his skates in favour of cleats.
“I’m definitely the odd one of the family as far as baseball over hockey but glad I picked baseball,” he said.
Hilderbrandt said the moment of truth came when he visited a campus at the University of Louisville while a member of the Toronto Mets.
“Seeing the facility and everything, I thought this was what it was about,” he said.
He enjoyed his experience on the diamond south of the border.
“There were people from all over, especially my second school,” he said. “I was the only Canadian there. It was a big school of all athletes so it was a good environment as far as different people from different places but they love their baseball there, that’s for sure.”
While at Limestone, Hilderbrandt got into body building at the behest of a teammate.
“I went to work out with him. I definitely ballooned up and it’s helped with the swing but I’m definitely not going to be into the double digits with stolen bases, that’s for sure,” he said.
Hilderbrand, who graduated with a major in liberal studies with a minor business and psychology, is working with his father at a tire store in his hometown.
“I have a degree but it’s more for sitting around at a desk and not doing a whole lot and I’m not one to sit around,” he said.
Hilderbrand said he would love to relocate to Niagara.
“I’m hoping to eventually end up down here. I would love to be here as long as my body will let me and they will let me stick around.”
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