James Eden’s Baseball Journey Includes Centering and Teamwork

By Abdullah Ahmed

As the weather warms up, excitement grows across Adelphi’s campus, with many outdoor sports to look forward to during the spring. James Eden, a sophomore criminal justice major, is a member of the Adelphi men’s baseball team. As an extracurricular player, he contributes to the team's efforts on the field each season, and in April 2024, he received the Northeast 10 Conference’s Rookie of the Week award.

Eden advises aspiring players to just enjoy the game. Photo by Bill Kind

Growing up, Eden said he always had a passion for sports and staying active. While he enjoyed both baseball and soccer during his childhood, he eventually focused more on baseball. Eden played T-ball from a young age, which sparked his interest in dedicating his time to the sport. He later played at MacArthur High School in Levittown, NY, where he not only excelled on the high school team but also had the opportunity to play for a travel team, further developing his skills and experience in the game.

During high school, Eden played shortstop, a position he enjoyed. He said one of the biggest influences in his life was his father, a devoted Yankees fan, who motivated him to pursue baseball at the collegiate level. Another key inspiration was his cousin, who also played baseball for a college team. 

As Eden approached high school graduation, he reflected on his success playing baseball at the middle and high school levels. 

“I thought to myself, I’ve done so well with baseball, why not play in college?” he said. As a first-year, Eden had the opportunity to play both left field and center field: “My coach suggested that I play outfield, as my strength was being able to see the ball from a far distance.”

During the baseball season, Eden spends a significant portion of his time before each practice warming up his body, stretching and running to get the blood flowing. When asked about his pre-game routine to fully engage in the game, he said, “I try not to overthink it because this sport is one of the toughest mentally, due to the constant feeling of failure.”

The mental challenges of baseball can be overwhelming, especially between games. To calm himself, Eden focuses on centering his mind, taking a few deep breaths and imagining himself as a champion by the end of the game.

Playing baseball at the college level has pushed Eden to challenge himself even further, as the competition has become more intense. Over time, his coach and teammates have helped him build resilience, making him a better player. 

Eden taking a lead off second base during a conference game against Pace University. Photo by Bill Kind

“I think the overall leaders within the team — like the captains and the other senior players — have given the new players support and an opportunity to become better players and overall better human beings,” Eden said.

Eden hopes to play baseball professionally. However, if that doesn’t happen, he envisions himself coaching baseball, as it would allow him to pass on his passion for the game to others.

When asked for advice to give to someone younger than him, Eden said, “Just have fun. Once you stop having fun, baseball stops being enjoyable. So keep it fun. When you think you can’t do it or when you strike out, make an error, or fail, just remember that things like that happen all the time. Keep working hard and good things will come to you.