Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Nathan Leffel of College Park High
Grade: Senior
School: College Park High
Sport: Baseball
Coach Andy Tarpley has written Leffel’s name on his lineup card in the second or third spot in the batting order for the past three seasons. Last year his performance earned him second-team all-Diablo Athletic League honors as a third baseman.
During his sophomore season Leffel won the “Rising Falcon” team award and followed that up last spring as the College Park “Silver Slugger” for the team’s best hitter. His coach says the versatile Leffel “can legitimately play all nine positions on the field, including catcher.”
“Nate is as competitive of a young man as anyone I’ve ever coached. He hates losing even more than he loves winning and he grinds away at all facets associated with the game. He found the weight room consistently last fall, which has added strength and stamina to the already exceptionally skilled player that he is.”
Although not in Tarpley’s pre-season plans, he has used the senior righthander more often as a pitcher after two teammates were shelved by injuries. “The added bulk and strength that he’s acquired in his senior year has made him a great option to take the mound for us. Nathan competes on the mound and understands the duel involved with every hitter he faces. He’s a strike thrower with three pitches,” the coach said. He has 31 strikeouts and a 0.3 ERA in 23 innings this season.
His lefthanded batting at the top of the order continues strong with a .370 batting average and .434 OBP. Leffel has played club baseball for the Concord Patriots, North Coast Reds, Diablo Valley Oaks and Zoots Baseball.
The Pioneer congratulates Nate and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport.
Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Read more Pioneer Athlete Spotlights.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.