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Ben Lasater Interview

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 Ben Lasater is a Minor League baseball player for the Miami Marlins Organization in AA Jacksonville. He is a first baseman drafted in the 29th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from College Of Charleston SC. He’s currently playing for the AA Jacksonville Suns. Follow him on Twitter @BenLasater and enjoy!

Hi Ben my name is Nick Crawford SR. I am a beat writer for Marlins Nation.  How are you doing today? I have a few questions for you for our interview:

Nick Crawford SR: I’m a Reno Nevada native, you being from Las Vegas Nevada how long did it take you to acclimate to the weather in Florida?

Ben Lasater: Every league has its pros and cons. Growing up out west getting to play in cities all up and down the east coast and the south has been fun. The Southern league has been my favorite. Most of the teams have a good following and the quality of competition is pretty strong. I went to school in Charleston and I had to get used to the humidity there but it was definitely a shock to my system.

Nick Crawford SR: How did you get the news that you were being drafted by the Miami Marlins Organization?

Ben Lasater: I got the news from the Marlins scout who covered South Carolina. I wasn’t following it online so when he called it caught me off guard.

Nick Crawford SR: Who was the first person you called or talked to?

Ben Lasater: I first talked to my girlfriend at the time now my wife. I told her I was a Marlin which she was excited about because our spring training site is In her hometown of Jupiter.

Nick Crawford SR: Have you been to the New Marlins ballpark?

Ben Lasater: I had a chance to see a game there this year when I was rehabbing my wrist in Jupiter. Got to see big Mike hit one off the jumbotron.

Nick Crawford SR: Stanton is a Beast! How was your transition from college ball to pro ball?

Ben Lasater: Pro ball took some getting used to. Playing every day was probably the hardest thing to get used to, I had some quality coaching at C of C that helped prepare me for life in the minors.

Nick Crawford SR: What was the hardest thing to get used to?

Ben Lasater: Besides playing every day just trying to stay even keeled throughout the year is a big challenge. You can’t let your emotions take control.

Nick Crawford SR: Life on the road isn’t easy and people don’t understand the sacrifices the players make when it comes to Family, how do you keep in touch with your Family/Wife/Kids.

Ben Lasater: I use the phone a lot in season to Keep in touch with my wife, parents, and other family/friends. I’m not a big skyper that some of the guys are into it.

Nick Crawford SR: Who was your favorite player as a kid and favorite player in today’s game?

Ben Lasater: Growing up I was a huge Braves fan and Chipper was my guy. I had to wear #10 and my pants up like him. Now I don’t have a favorite player. I have a lot of respect for guys like Chipper still and Jeter for how they have handled their careers.

Nick Crawford SR: What do you consider to be your biggest strength and weakness?

Ben Lasater: Biggest strength would be my desire not to let the pitcher beat me. Every at bat I try to compete and hit the ball hard. Hits will come if you hit the ball hard. My weakness has got to be stealing bases. It’s not really my specialty.

Nick Crawford SR: What other position would you want to play?

Ben Lasater: I would probably want to play SS. Growing up I played up the middle and it was a lot of fun. You have a better view of what’s going on

Nick Crawford SR: What do you enjoy doing on your off time?

Ben Lasater: In my off time I like to read and watch movies. In the offseason I do a lot of fishing and go paddle boarding.

Nick Crawford SR: Finish this sentence. If I were not a baseball player I would probably get a job doing ____________?

Ben Lasater: Probably be working with athletes in some capacity. I love sports and can’t see myself doing something that doesn’t involve athletes.

Nick Crawford SR: Who Is the toughest pitcher you have faced?

Ben Lasater: The toughest pitcher was probably Matt Moore. Faced him a bunch through the years and he had the best stuff I’ve seen.

Nick Crawford SR: What is your favorite ball park to play in?

Ben Lasater: Favorite park is probably Jacksonville. I like hitting there and the fans are usually into the games.

Nick Crawford SR: What is your approach in the batters box? Do you try and guess what a pitcher is going to throw?

Ben Lasater: My approach is to try and get a good pitch to hit and hit it hard. I usually have an idea of what they are trying to do to me.

Nick Crawford SR: I have a buddy Ryan Wheeler who got called up by the Diamondbacks recently and he was known for his hair, when he arrived in Arizona the veterans got a hold of him and buzzed his hair all off. On your twitter account @BenLasater you quote to have the best curls in the game. How attached are you to “the best curls in the game”?

Ben Lasater: I’m not too attached I just tend to not get haircuts in season. We wear hats for most of the day so my hair isn’t that big of a deal guys like to say I have an afro. I just say they’re jealous because most of them are balding or in the process of it.

Nick Crawford SR: I would like to thank you for the interview, we appreciate your time. I have been a Marlins fan since day one and will continue to be for life. Here at Marlins Nation we cover all things Marlins 24/7. I look forward to meeting you someday and seeing you on the field. God Bless your career wherever that may take you. As my first Marlins player interview I will never forget Ben “best curls in the game” Lasater. Thank You!

Nick Crawford SR Miami Marlins beat writer for @Marlins_Nation

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