The following article appeared in the April 2, 2009, issue of the Knightly News — the High School North school newspaper. The author is a rising senior at High School North.
At North, where competition is fierce, it takes a student who exhibits passion, fortitude, and enthusiasm to be considered an all-around stellar athlete. One student in particular, who not only displays such qualities but also brings a light-hearted attitude to the table, is senior baseball pitcher David Bachner.
Bachner’s thriving athletic future could be seen on the horizon starting at a young age. At seven years old, Bachner started playing baseball, which was a fun activity for him and his friends. As he continued to play, however, he realized it was much more than an extracurricular activity. “After my first year of playing, I really started to love the sport. My potential motivated me to stick with it, and I started looking for ways to improve my game,” Bachner said.
From then on, Bachner developed a work ethic similar to that of any professional athlete. Realizing that it takes hard work to be the best, Bachner has devoted much of his childhood to baseball. “In my spare time, I’m usually working out in the gym or throwing with my pitching coach,” Bachner said. Receiving many words of wisdom along the way, Bachner has noted Coach Bob Boyce to be one of his greatest sources of advice. “Coach Boyce has always believed in me. He once told me ‘You’re a head case, don’t think.’ He knows my main weakness is overthinking my throw,” Bachner said.
Thanks to the encouragement of his parents, Bachner has had the opportunity to focus on his baseball talents. “I owe my parents a lot of thanks. They have gotten me where I am today with the love and support that any talented player deserves,” Bachner said. Bachner’s parents have been by his side cheering him on along the way. “My mom comes to almost all of my games and buys me the equipment I need to improve. My dad has driven me as far as the Carolinas to make sure my talent is recognized. In general, both of my parents have invested so much time and effort into my passion for baseball, and I could not be more appreciative of that,” Bachner said.
Not only has Bachner’s father been there throughout his baseball adventures, but he also serves as a role model for this impressive athlete. “My father is my true idol. He works so hard in his everyday life for both my mom and me. He sacrifices himself for the happiness of our family. That is what’s really important,” Bachner said.
With his final high school season into full swing, Bachner is excited to shift his focus to the school team. “It amazes me how fast my four years have gone by. This season, I hope to be Pitcher of the Year and achieve below a 1.0 ERA [earned run average, a measure of a pitcher’s capability],” Bachner said. In addition, Bachner looks forward to spending time with the team. “Our team has a great chemistry. Even throwing around at practice is fun. I know that when I look back on my high school career I’ll have great memories of North’s team,” Bachner said.
As Bachner will move on to play baseball at Seton Hall, he has high anticipations for his future with baseball. “Not only do I hope to flourish on my college baseball team, but I’d also like to play professional baseball,” Bachner said. Beyond playing, Bachner would also like to use his baseball skills to give back to the community. “In the future, I would love to help younger kids with baseball through some form of coaching,” Bachner said.
Former major league second baseman Rogers Hornsby once said “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” Not surprisingly, this is one of Bachner’s favorite quotes, for baseball is his life. His spirit and passion have proved him as a notable athlete amidst the raw talent that can be seen here at North.
