Big dreams

Josh Munoz dribbles down court against Soap Lake.<br>Pam Robel/Columbia Basin Herald

by Pam Robel<br>Herald Staff Writer
| February 2, 2006 8:00 PM

Local senior looks beyond home court to fulfill plans for the future

MOSES LAKE — Josh Munoz is not a typical high school senior.

As an underclassman Josh took extra classes and his reward is being done by noon as a senior. That focus for reward in academics can also be seen in his athletic life.

Josh is a three sport athlete that sees each season as a progressive cross-training for the season following. He plays soccer to build up his endurance and maintains it through basketball season to keep him ready for baseball.

Josh is currently starting for the Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) Lions and is consistently leading his team to victory; with any luck the squad will be off to the State B tournament in a few weeks time.

Despite all of this, basketball is a mere second choice for Josh.

His true love is baseball.

"I've always loved baseball," Josh said. "I've loved it since forever."

That undying love began by playing catch with his dad and blossomed as the years and his talent passed and grew.

"When I'm on the field, it's like a little piece of heaven," said Josh. "It's just me and the game of baseball."

While Josh attends MLCA, he plays pitcher and shortstop for Moses Lake High School (MLHS) every spring. Of the two positions, Josh says he prefers shortstop.

"We call it the hot spot in baseball," he said. "Because there's always something happening."

In deference to his favorite position, Josh cites Derek Jeter as one of his athletic heroes.

"Derek Jeter is smooth," said Josh. "He goes out there and does what he does. He's not arrogant about it."

Josh, like most serious athletes, wants to eventually end up in the Bigs.

In an effort to do so, Josh has educated himself in every aspect of the game and life in sports, from reading Sports Illustrated during breakfast to reading local stories about Ryan Doumit.

"I read that story about Ryan Doumit three times," he said.

Devotion to honing his ability sends Josh to the gym before school and keeps him in a mind set to continually improve.

"I admire Joey Cora. He's a true underdog just like me," said Josh. "He works twice as hard as everyone else.

"I'm not the best athlete but I do have a good work ethic."

Josh is hoping his work ethic will pay off and give him a chance at collegiate and professional baseball.

As a sophomore playing for MLHS, Josh learned a big lesson that he still remembers. He was offered the opportunity to start at the varsity level but turned it down out of intimidation.

His choice to remain on the junior varsity playing field is a disappointment he has lived with since.

"I failed because I didn't take a risk," Josh said. "After that I decided that if I was going to fail, I wanted to fail forward."

If Josh were to choose a second sport to fall back on, he says basketball would be the sport he would choose simply because of the thrill of the game.

"Kobe having an 81 point game," said Josh. "That's why I'd play basketball. The thrill of it."

For the near future, Josh is thinking about college.

"The pressure is really on this year," Josh said. "I'm just going to work as hard as I can."

He went to the University of Washington prospect camp last summer and was impressed with their program and their loyalty to their players.

"The one thing that impressed me most was the UW coaches said that if they had filled the position on the team they wouldn't go out and recruit another player to take his spot," Josh said. "Not even if a better player was available."

Josh also finds comfort in the more serious environment that appears to be offered at the University of Washington.

"My friends tell me I've got to go to WSU but I don't really want to get into partying and that stuff," said Josh. "I don't have time for that."

Amidst all the work toward his goal, Josh still makes time for other persuits. He loves cars, spends time with his girlfriend and friends. And he is weary of changing too much.

"I just want to be Josh," he said.