As a youngster who spent his summers going to Defiance baseball camp, Rob Zeigler grew up with "America's Pastime" in his blood. Watching former Defiance High School standout Chad Billingsley (10 years his senior) excel on the diamond all the way to the major leagues, Zeigler dreamed that one day he could follow that same path.
Zeigler, now a senior at DHS, could see that dream come true when the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Amateur Draft gets underway in early June. But, for now, Zeigler is focused on helping lead the Bulldogs to another outstanding baseball season.
"Growing up, I went to all the Defiance camps and I was always doing something related to baseball," said Zeigler, Defiance's ace and leading hitter. "I don't know how old I was, but I remember seeing Chad pitch. I thought to myself, I want to be like that.
"From the time I was playing T-Ball, my dad (Steve Zeigler) was playing catch with me and having me hit off a tee in our basement," continued Zeigler. "As I was growing up my dad and I would play long toss at the park near our house, he's always been there to tell me to not settle and keep working. I see now that all that time he's spent with me is paying off, but I also see that it's still up to me to keep working to reach my goals."
When Zeigler reached high school, he also was given a chance to watch and learn.
"When I was a freshman, I got the chance to start at second base in a sectional championship game against Van Wert, and I got to see Dace pitch," continued Zeigler about Dace Kime, a 2010 DHS grad that was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates before deciding to play college baseball at Louisville. "I think the idea was for me to see how he carried himself and since that time, I've tried to mimic what he did here."
Defiance mentor Tom Held, who has coached seven players that have been drafted since he arrived to coach the Bulldogs 15 years ago, knew early on that Zeigler had the natural ability to be a very good baseball player after seeing him at those camps.
"We knew when he was growing up and coming to our camps he was loaded with talent," Held said. "Now that he's a young man, you can see he has great size, but he also has great hand-eye coordination and a lot of natural athleticism. He runs well, he jumps well and that's even after all his horrible injuries in a terrible car accident. He's just blessed with a lot of God-given ability."
It was two summers ago that Zeigler was involved in a car accident that left him with several broken bones and internal injuries. At the time, it wasn't clear that Zeigler would play baseball again, but the 6-4, 205-pound, righty put in the work necessary to not only play again, but play at a high level the spring of his junior season.
"Playing last year was a blessing, that's what I was told by Jim Kissel (physical therapist and owner of Defiance Rehabilitation Services in Defiance)," began Zeigler. "I credit them and my doctors for all their hard work. I had a broken and dislocated left ankle, a broken and dislocated left hip, a broken left wrist and some internal injuries. I wasn't able to walk for a month and a half, so workouts were tough, but I found a way to fight through that and I think it made me mentally tougher. I think about that now when I play, that if I can make it through that, I can make it through a baseball game."
Said Held: "When I saw him in the hospital, to think that he was able to come back as quickly as he did, it's truly remarkable. You have to give Robbie and his family (parents Steve and Diane Zeigler) all the credit, and you have to give Jim Kissel and DRS credit. There's been a lot of people involved in his recovery, but, ultimately, Robbie gets the most credit for the amount of work it took for him to get back."
As a junior, all Zeigler did was finish 9-2 on the hill with a 1.13 ERA. In 62 innings pitched the hard-throwing righty struck out 87 and walked 27. At the plate, Zeigler was Defiance's second leading hitter (.442), with seven home runs, and he broke the school record for RBIs in a season, knocking in 45 to break the record of 41 set by Andy Smith in 1992 and tied by Cam Stykemain in 2007.
"I wanted to have a great season last year because I knew how much I still wanted to play professional baseball and how much it meant to me," Zeigler said. "I wanted to prove that I was ready mentally and physically, even on the days where I was in a lot of pain. That dream is still inside of me, that's why I needed to push hard then and that's why I need to keep pushing hard now."
Despite all his success last year, Zeigler and the Bulldogs were left disappointed, when they lost 6-1 to league rival Wapakoneta in the Division II regional finals, one game away from state. Zeigler, who started that game, was very disappointed. In fact, Zeigler spent the off-season with Wapak on his mind, waiting to face them again.
That day came on Friday, April 26 at Wapakoneta. The righty went the distance in a 1-0 Defiance win that included Zeigler striking out 14 and allowing just two hits.
"That regional final game last year was on my mind all offseason," admitted Zeigler, who throws his fastball in the 90s and his curve in the mid-70s. "This year I put in the work to gain the velocity and maintain the velocity during games, which was my downfall last year. I understand that if I can be consistent with the fastball from 88 to 91 and higher, and get my curve over at mid-70s, I can get guys out. Against Wapak they had a couple of hits, they're good, but I knew if I did my part that day, things would fall into place."
Held certainly saw something in Zeigler that day.
"Robbie was a different guy that day, that was as focused as I've ever seen him," said Held about Zeigler's win over the Redskins. "The thing about Robbie is that he's not only a great pitcher, he's a great defensive first baseman, he can pick it with the best of them, and he's feared as a hitter when he steps up to the plate. He's capable of hitting the ball as hard as anyone we've ever had, the ball just jumps off his bat."
With the season winding down, Defiance is ranked No. 1 in the state in the Prep Baseball Report and No. 2 in the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association poll with a record of ??-?. The Bulldogs are also riding a 67-game wining streak in the Western Buckeye League with a mark of 8-0. With a share of the title secure, DHS can capture it outright with a win at Lima Bath on Monday.
"I think a lot of people were doubting us after losing so many seniors from last year, but we've proven that we're just as capable as any other Defiance team," Zeigler said. "As for me, I think I could be more of a vocal leader the rest of the season. I read in the paper that coach Held said I was 'a different me' that day (against Wapakoneta) ... I need to find that guy.
"If I can be that person more often ... I know Joe Keween is looked at as our senior captain, I want to be looked at as our senior co-captain," added Zeigler. "I think could, it's just a matter of doing it. I want to be that guy, I know I need to be that guy."
Along with his parents, Kissel and his doctors, Zeigler credits Held for pushing him to be his best, and assistant coach Rick Weaver for helping him find the potential in his bat.
"I was very familiar with coach Held going to those camps when I was little, plus he and my dad are friends, with both being teachers at the high school," Zeigler said. "Coach Held has helped me with my future with all the connections he has, and I don't think anyone puts in the amount of time he does when it comes to high school baseball. He cares a lot and wants to see all of us to be our best and have success. I'm very thankful to have him as my high school coach.
"I have to give props to coach Weaver as well," continued Zeigler. "When there's been problems with my swing, coach Weaver has always had time to work with me to help me get better. He's always been someone I can talk to one-and-one, and that's something I really do appreciate."
When his high school days are over, Zeigler will have the opportunity to go to college and play baseball at the University of Kentucky after signing a national letter-of-intent to play for the Wildcats. Depending on what happens in the June in the draft, the righty could also have the opportunity to sign his first professional contract.
"Kentucky first saw me at the East Coast Pro Showcase at Dayton, and they recruited since that day," Zeigler said. "Ohio State, Louisville and Georgia Tech also recruited me, but Kentucky made a really good offer, one my family and I agreed I should take. I've visited there twice, it's a great campus, and there are plans to upgrade the facilities there over the next 10 years. It's a place where I feel very comfortable.
"As for the draft, I've kept in contact with Dace and Anthony Kidston (a 2012 DHS grad that went through the process before going to the University of Louisville), and I've texted back and forth with Jon Niese (2005 DHS grad and current New York Mets pitcher)," continued Zeigler. "The Diamondbacks, Pirates, Blue Jays and Rangers are the teams that have shown the most interest, with the Yankees and Red Sox showing some interest lately. It's pretty amazing really, to think I could be close to that dream. But right now I try not to think about it too much, there's a lot to do before I graduate."
On that list is helping Defiance get back to state for the first time since 2010.
"Everyone's goal on this team is to get to state and to win it," concluded Zeigler. "Losing to Jonathon Alder in the state semifinals when I was a freshman (in 2010), that was hard, but being there was an unbelievable experience. Seeing all the fans, all the players on the field, all the scouts, it was a lot of fun. I want to help all of us experience that again, that would be a great way to finish my high school career."