Jimmy Waters – Kansas State
2010 Rochester Honkers
Photo of Jimmy Today!
What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
JW: I have many favorite memories while playing for the Honkers. I'll try and keep it to just 3.
1. Our Series with Alexandria. I think I had like 4 home runs in two games on the same night or something.
2. In a game at Willmar my college teammate Wally Marciel was pitching for Willmar and I hit a home run off him in the First Inning. Mike Strong was pitching for us and I believe it was the second inning and the umpire was not having a good day behind the plate. After the 3rd out Mike had a few words with the Umpire and proceeded to get thrown out of the game. With Mike being my buddy I felt I had to defend him so I ran in from left field and gave the umpire my two cents which landed me with Mike out in the parking lot. Luckily Wally was not to mad about me hitting a home run off him and he lent us his car, so we were able to go grab some dinner and make it back before the game was over.
3. All the dugout antics and pranks that went on. I remember one time I was due up third and I started smelling burnt rubber and was thinking "what the heck is that". I look down and my shoe is essentially on fire. Phil Haig had successfully got me the the "HOT Foot" prank.
What's your favorite non playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers?
JW: 1. My host family was the best! The Bruemmers truly took Mike Strong and I in like family. I truly appreciate everything they did for us that summer. I've had 4 different host family before Rochester and a host family can make or break your summer. They certainly made ours.
2. During the all-star break my The Bruemmers took Mike Strong, Mitch Caster, Chris Elder, and myself on a canoeing trip. That was perhaps my favorite day that summer.
3. On my birthday all the guys went out in downtown St. Cloud. I believe we just clinched our playoff spot for the first half of the season earlier that night too. From what I remember it was half price drinks and karaoke night. So to say the least things got interesting.
4. Our trip to Thunder Bay was after my birthday and we decided we wanted to celebrate my birthday again in Canada. I believe the name of the place we went was Scuttlebutts or something like that. This place had a PA system and I think between Phil Haig, Mitch Caster and Mike Strong they announced "Happy Birthday Jimmy Waters" at least 20 times. So to say the least everyone in this place knew it was my birthday. I also remember running out of Canadian currency and opening a tab on a visa gift card that had $20 on it. I'm not sure how this was possible but 15 guys drank on a $20 visa gift card for 4 hours.
Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
JW: Honestly I'd have to say I enjoyed playing with everyone on this team. There was a core group of us that did everything together and we all clicked real well.
I know I'll leave someone out but I'd have to say Mitch Caster, Phil Haig, Sean Martin, Josh McKeon, Mike Strong, Dan Pellegrino, Matt Dittman, Ryan Hambright, Richie Jimenez, Davey Wright, Chris Elder, Anthony Hutting, Arik Sikula, Ian Kadish.
I'd also have to say I really enjoyed our coaching staff that summer. Ryan Ruiz and Andy Judkins were absolutely a blast to play for.
What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now?
JW: After Rochester I went back and finished out my senior season at Kansas University. After Kansas I played two years professionally in the Frontier League Baseball.
Once I decided to end my baseball career, I moved back to my home town in Council Bluffs, IA. I decided to help expand my families business.
Currently I'm part owner and Director of Operations at 3rd Degree Screening, INC. My company performs background checks and coordinates drug testing for employers nationwide. We also perform background checks for many youth organizations including volunteers and coaches.
When I'm not working at 3rd Degree Screening, INC. I reside in Omaha, NE. I'm an assistant wrestling coach at Creighton Prep High School and I also give private baseball lessons in the Spring and Summer.
What was your biggest realization playing for the Rochester Honkers?
JW: To enjoy everyday you get the chance to play. It is such a small portion of your life that you get the opportunity to play everyday and you need to take advantage of it.
Do you stay in contact with former teammates? If so, who?
JW: Yes I do. I probably keep touch with Mike Strong and Chris Elder the most. These days with all the social media (twitter, instagram, facebook, snap chat) you are able to keep in touch and see what everyone is up to instantly. I believe I could pick up the phone and call any of these guys and pick up right where we left off. I will sometime get a group text together and text some of the guys random inside jokes we had. So if any of them are reading this "BUFFALO"
