From Pitching Baseballs to Pitching Products

Athletes often adopt a ritual during their sports season. senior Matt Mattiacci is no exception.

“I sleep with a baseball in my hand,” said Mattiacci, a pitcher. "My dad slept with a basketball when he was a kid, and that’s how I got the idea.”

Mattiacci started playing baseball when he was four years old. “It was t-ball at Bennett Park,” he said.

Now Mattiacci pitches for the varsity team at Minnetonka. 

"Matt is one of the most focused young men I have worked with,” said Minnetonka baseball coach Paul Twenge. “He is a leader and the one that most follow."

One of Mattiacci’s most memorable baseball moments was during the 2010 New Ulm tournament. 

“The weather turned on us fast and a tornado was heading right toward us,” said Mattiacci. “We all had to squeeze into a concrete equipment shed under the bleachers.”  

The team ended up seeking shelter in a nearby restaurant. “But we won the tournament– a tournament we will never forget.”

Mattiacci was inspired early on by Dave Bigham, who coached him at various times in his baseball career. Bigham passed away in February at the age of 41.

“Dave Bigham was the best coach I’ve had,” said Mattiacci. “He was not only a very good pitcher, he was also a great person. He inspired me to make a difference in my community.”

Mattiacci also credits his father, Paul, as his mentor. “He has guided me through my youth and high school career,” Mattiacci said. “We talk before and after every game. He encourages me to work hard.”

Mattiacci is also inspired by major league pitcher Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies. “I like his fast pace,” said Mattiacci.

In addition to baseball, Mattiacci plays hockey. He played on a junior gold team.

“I realized at an early age that if you want to play high school hockey, you needed to play all year round,” said Mattiacci. “I loved hockey, but did not want to give up baseball in the summer.” 

Despite playing two sports, Mattiacci has managed to avoid serious injury. 

“I once broke a toe on my push-off foot playing pick-up basketball the night before I had to pitch,” he said. “It was pretty hard to pitch with a broken toe. I never would have thought my toe plays such an important part of my throw.”

Giving of his time is important to Mattiacci. He is a First Mate– a senior leader who guides freshmen transition activities at Minnetonka.

As a senior, Mattiacci offers simple advice to freshmen. “Get involved,” he said.  “Four years go by fast.”

Mattiacci has been on the B honor roll throughout high school. How does he balance schoolwork with sports?

“My parents help me keep on track,” he said. “Sundays are a day I use to catch up on homework.”

Mattiacci’s favorite classes at school include Competitive Sports and Sports Marketing. He plans to study business in college and is leaning toward marketing as a career.

This fall, Mattiacci will attend the University of Minnesota Duluth. He signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the UMD Bulldogs. 

“My parents and I drove up to visit the campus and to meet the baseball coach,” he said. “On the drive home, I could not believe how much I liked the school and the baseball program.”

Mattiacci admits that graduating will be bittersweet. “I feel good about graduating and moving on, but I still don’t want high school baseball to be over,” he said. “I am not ready to leave my friends and my teammates.”

In addition to starting college, Mattiacci will experience another first this fall: voting. 

“It is the right thing to do, and I am ready to have my vote count,” he said. “I hope that the economy will continue to recover, especially since I will be looking for a job in four years. I also hope that we continue to keep our homeland a safe place to live.”

This summer will be a busy time for Mattiacci. He will start Excelsior Legion baseball as soon as high school baseball ends.

“I hope to find some time for a couple trips to our family cabin this summer,” he said. 

At the end of June, the Excelsior Legion team will travel to the Dominican Republic to play baseball and work on service projects. “We will help out by repairing homes or working in orphanages,” he said.

In his free time, Mattiacci enjoys fishing, golf and “playing any sport outside.”

He also likes to cook. His favorite food to make is a steak.

One of his favorite service projects was when his hockey team prepared and served a meal at Mary’s Place, a transitional housing complex in downtown Minneapolis.