Rockett Heating Up in Second Half

Published on July 31, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Battle Creek Battle Jacks News Release

This season Daniel Rockett is one of the six players to return to the Battle Creek Bombers in 2012 after they won their first Northwoods League Championship in 2011. During that 2011 summer, Rockett was one of the most valuable weapons on the team, batting .305 with a franchise record 53 runs batted in.

The expectations for Rockett's return to Battle Creek in 2012 were immense. He is able to provide his team with tremendous power and speed at the plate, not to mention the best defensive center field you will see at the collegiate level.

"Rockett plays the game really hard," Bomber assistant coach Joe Ramos said. "That's what you need from your best players. When they play the game hard, then others know that is the way you must play to be successful."

This season Daniel has played center field in every single game for the Bombers. Only a select few players in the entire league have played in every game, and Rockett claims that playing in the Northwoods League last season gave his body an advantage.

"Last year I wasn't mentally or physically ready to play that many games," he said. "I was really sore. But this year my body has not broken down, and on the mental side I am always prepared to play every game and not take a day off."

As this season has progressed, Rockett's offensive production has returned to the type of numbers he produced a year ago. In the first half of play, Daniel hit .239 with 34 strikeouts, but so far in the second half he is hitting .326 with 10 extra base hits. In July he has raised his batting average by 83 points and cut down his number of strikeouts in half.

"Mostly I have just been feeling more comfortable in the box," said Rockett. "I haven't been lunging as much, so now I can drive the ball up the middle and the other way."

With just one year remaining in Rockett's collegiate career at the University of Texas: San Antonio, his goal is to finish strong so that he may get the opportunity to play professional baseball.

"He has all of the tools," Ramos said. "Hopefully someone will see him and give him the opportunity. He deserves it."

Northwoods League Stories from July 31, 2012

• Rox Lose to Beetles - St. Cloud Rox
• Bullfrogs Fall to Woodchucks in High-Scoring Affair - Green Bay Rockers
• Beetles outlast Rox - Alexandria Beetles
• Friday's Fireworks Cancelled due to Dry Weather and Extreme Heat - Waterloo Bucks
• Chucks Utilize Four Big Innings to Pummel Bullfrogs 13-8 - Wausau Woodchucks
• Kuhn Hits Walk-Off Homer in Ninth for 4-2 Stingers Victory - Willmar Stingers
• Addison Homer Beats Rafters Late, 3-2 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Chinooks Staff Continues Hot Streak - Lakeshore Chinooks
• Loggers' No-Hitter Dooms Mallards - Madison Mallards
• Honkers Victim of Walk-Off Homer - Rochester Honkers
• Chinooks, Soldano Shut Down Bombers - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
• Rockett Heating Up in Second Half - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
• Mallards Look to Find Success in La Crosse - Madison Mallards

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