By Ramsey Abushahla
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” While this quote is grossly overused especially in the sports world, one can’t help but notice how well it fits with Royals coach and Cal Lutheran outfielder Sinjin Todd.
While Todd is listed at 5 feet 5 inches and 145 pounds, his work ethic and resilience make up for what may be missing in size.
“I’ve always been overlooked my entire life because of my size. I’ve always felt like an underdog,” Todd said. “I always get that feeling that I’m lesser and weaker than everyone else just because I’m smaller, and I think I just have this drive to be as big and strong as everyone else even though I’m not as big in stature.”
Todd worked his way into the lineup and was a valuable asset both as a starter and a role player off the bench in 2015 for the Kingsmen.
He finished the 2015 campaign with a .354 batting average to go along with one homerun and 19 RBIs in 29 games played. His biggest game came against Drew University, where he went 3-for-3 with a grand slam, six RBIs and three runs scored.
Todd’s success in a Kingsmen uniform is 100 percent due to his work ethic. He is undoubtedly the hardest worker on the Cal Lutheran baseball team. After working out with the team at 6 a.m., he often can be found in the gym later in the day on his own, all of this while being a full-time student at Cal Lutheran.
“Being small I really had to focus on the fundamentals and everything else just a little bit more because I’m not as gifted. I’ve got to work harder, get stronger, and work harder than everyone else,” Todd said.
Todd has taken his hard-nosed approach to the game and has tried to instill it as a coach with the Conejo Royals Baseball Club.
“[A great player is] someone who works hard and hustles all the time. You don’t have to be big, you don’t have to be a great athlete, you just have to know the game and play hard,” Todd said.
Todd said hopes he can inspire other players who may not have the desired size of a baseball player.
“If you really love the game and you really want to keep playing, just learn all the little things and learn how to play small ball, play smart, and play hard. If you out-hustle the other team you are going to do well.”
Ethan Kearney & Colton Arnett
Ethan Kearney is entering his third year as a Conejo Royal, and his veteran leadership has been key to the Royals this season. The lefty pitcher/outfielder/first baseman plays the game the way it is meant to be played.
“He works really hard. He’s a really good listener. In practice and in the cages he’s always focused and it’s really nice. He’s definitely an advanced athlete for his age,” Todd said.
A Chicago native, Ethan is an avid Cubs fan and lists his favorite players as Kris Bryant and former Cub Alfonso Soriano. His favorite moment as a Royal came after winning the Las Vegas tournament last year, and he hopes to go to Cooperstown and win even more tournaments this year.
Joining Ethan in this edition of Royal Profiles is fellow lefty Colton Arnett.
“He’s just a gifted athlete. He’s really big for his age, has a cannon of an arm, and he can rake. The kid can hit,” Todd said about Colton.
In addition to his physical stature, Todd also praised Colton’s work ethic.
“He also works really hard. He always tells me how he goes out with his dad and takes extra fly balls and extra swings in his off time, which I think is really cool. He really loves the game,” Todd said.
Colton said his favorite part of playing baseball is hitting, and it shows. He has proven himself to be one of the best hitters in his age group and only hopes to improve.
When he’s not playing baseball, Colton stays active, either playing golf or riding his bike in his free time. Like Ethan, Colton has fond memories of playing in Las Vegas.
Both of these Royals players play the game the right way and hope to lead their teams to success in the upcoming tournaments.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” While this quote is grossly overused especially in the sports world, one can’t help but notice how well it fits with Royals coach and Cal Lutheran outfielder Sinjin Todd.
While Todd is listed at 5 feet 5 inches and 145 pounds, his work ethic and resilience make up for what may be missing in size.
“I’ve always been overlooked my entire life because of my size. I’ve always felt like an underdog,” Todd said. “I always get that feeling that I’m lesser and weaker than everyone else just because I’m smaller, and I think I just have this drive to be as big and strong as everyone else even though I’m not as big in stature.”
Todd worked his way into the lineup and was a valuable asset both as a starter and a role player off the bench in 2015 for the Kingsmen.
He finished the 2015 campaign with a .354 batting average to go along with one homerun and 19 RBIs in 29 games played. His biggest game came against Drew University, where he went 3-for-3 with a grand slam, six RBIs and three runs scored.
Todd’s success in a Kingsmen uniform is 100 percent due to his work ethic. He is undoubtedly the hardest worker on the Cal Lutheran baseball team. After working out with the team at 6 a.m., he often can be found in the gym later in the day on his own, all of this while being a full-time student at Cal Lutheran.
“Being small I really had to focus on the fundamentals and everything else just a little bit more because I’m not as gifted. I’ve got to work harder, get stronger, and work harder than everyone else,” Todd said.
Todd has taken his hard-nosed approach to the game and has tried to instill it as a coach with the Conejo Royals Baseball Club.
“[A great player is] someone who works hard and hustles all the time. You don’t have to be big, you don’t have to be a great athlete, you just have to know the game and play hard,” Todd said.
Todd said hopes he can inspire other players who may not have the desired size of a baseball player.
“If you really love the game and you really want to keep playing, just learn all the little things and learn how to play small ball, play smart, and play hard. If you out-hustle the other team you are going to do well.”
Ethan Kearney & Colton Arnett
Ethan Kearney is entering his third year as a Conejo Royal, and his veteran leadership has been key to the Royals this season. The lefty pitcher/outfielder/first baseman plays the game the way it is meant to be played.
“He works really hard. He’s a really good listener. In practice and in the cages he’s always focused and it’s really nice. He’s definitely an advanced athlete for his age,” Todd said.
A Chicago native, Ethan is an avid Cubs fan and lists his favorite players as Kris Bryant and former Cub Alfonso Soriano. His favorite moment as a Royal came after winning the Las Vegas tournament last year, and he hopes to go to Cooperstown and win even more tournaments this year.
Joining Ethan in this edition of Royal Profiles is fellow lefty Colton Arnett.
“He’s just a gifted athlete. He’s really big for his age, has a cannon of an arm, and he can rake. The kid can hit,” Todd said about Colton.
In addition to his physical stature, Todd also praised Colton’s work ethic.
“He also works really hard. He always tells me how he goes out with his dad and takes extra fly balls and extra swings in his off time, which I think is really cool. He really loves the game,” Todd said.
Colton said his favorite part of playing baseball is hitting, and it shows. He has proven himself to be one of the best hitters in his age group and only hopes to improve.
When he’s not playing baseball, Colton stays active, either playing golf or riding his bike in his free time. Like Ethan, Colton has fond memories of playing in Las Vegas.
Both of these Royals players play the game the right way and hope to lead their teams to success in the upcoming tournaments.
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