Jelmini strives for baseball greatness

By Emma Rosenbaum
Sports Editor

Senior Jake Jelmini’s motto has always been the same: “Never be satisfied and never take anything for granted.” He leads the varsity baseball team with a .417 batting average. Immediately after one meets Jelmini, the motto speaks for itself.

Jelmini played first base on the Costa varsity baseball team and has been on varsity for the past three years.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was old enough to pick up a bat,” Jelmini said.

Baseball excellence runs in the family. His father, Dean, played in the California Angels’ minor league organization.

“When I played, there were two showers per team. There were no towels or room service. It was not as glamorous as everyone thinks, but I still had to work to get there,” Dean Jelmini said.

Jake Jelmini, who is considered one of the top 5 high school first basemen by the Los Angeles Times and top 25 position players in all of Southern California by the Major League Scouting Bureau, is interested in playing professionally as well.

Although he is still unsure of whether he will pursue a professional career, Jelmini plans to at tend the University of California at Santa Barbara next fall and play for the baseball team there.

“I know I’m going to continue playing baseball, whether it is at the collegiate level or the professional level,” Jelmini said.

Despite being involved in a re cent accident that left him with a shattered jaw, Jelmini will continue doing what he loves, playing baseball. It kept him from playing for the last half of this season, a disappointing experience for Jelmini.

“Getting hurt was really discouraging. Even so, it taught me how to just get back up and keep going,” Jelmini said.

Jelmini says he has achieved success through not only his athletics, but also with his attitude and his outlook on the game.
“It’s all about how well you can deal with obstacles that come your way. I am proud of what I have done, and it is satisfying to know that all of my hard work and dedication is currently paying off,” Jelmini said.