interview of Josh by Elkhart Truth

They Talk The Game: Fairfield's Josh Brown

by: Steve Krah

Fairfield High School's

Josh Brown

Brown, a senior, is in his third year on the Fairfield varsity baseball team. With an injury to junior Darin Hochstetler, Falcons coach Brodie Garber recently moved Brown from left field to shortstop, a position Brown started at as a sophomore.

Truth Photo By Steve Krah Fairfield baseball player Josh Brown

The team defensive award winner on coach John Wysong's sectional-winning basketball squad in the winter, Brown is also known for his defense on the diamond though he did hit .343 as a junior. He has been batting ninth most of the time this spring.

Brown is one of three valedictorians at Fairfield this spring and plans to attend Grace College in Winona Lake, where he may play baseball.

His baseball days began in kindergarten when he played T-ball in the New Paris league.

He is the son of Jim and Anne Brown and the older brother of Fairfield sophomore tennis and cross country athlete Hannah Brown and New Paris Elementary fifth grader Isaiah Brown.

WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS AN ATHLETE?

"I've got good knowledge of the game. I'm strong under pressure."

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD DEFENDER?

"I get good reads off the bat in the outfield and that's an important thing ... Baseball is a game of reaction to me. But shortstop and the outfield and two completely different ways (to play defense). A shortstop has to know where to go with the ball on every single play. In the outfield, you just react."

FAIRFIELD HAS BEEN RANKED AS HIGH AS NO. 2 THIS SEASON. DO YOU OR YOUR TEAMMATES TALK ABOUT THE POLLS?

"We are aware of it, but we try not to let it effect the way we play. It's a great honor, but rankings only mean so much ... Westview (was ranked high) last year and we beat them (to win sectional)."

WHAT ADVICE FROM ADULTS OR PEERS HAS STUCK WITH YOU?

"Work hard at sports and do things to get better. The goal is to win, but it's just a game. Have fun while you're playing."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT?

"Math. This year, I'm taking calculus (from Jeff Ulrich). I like it because you can always find a way to get to the answer ... I'm undecided on my (college) major, but it will probably be something with math."

AS A VALEDICTORIAN, THERE IS A SPEECH IN YOUR FUTURE. WHERE ARE YOU WITH THAT?

"I've outlined some ideas, but I haven't written anything yet."

By Steve Krah