Jack Varney is enjoying his surroundings from the center-field spot during his senior season with the Mercer Island High School baseball squad.
The lefty gets a prime view of his stellar pitching staff, which includes juniors Austin Cupic — a University of Portland commit — Jack Beebe, Edger Nakamura and Evan Otte, and is putting his speed and reads into play when balls are knocked his way.
Varney’s squad was 1-2 overall at post time and said the Islanders possess some solid batsmen throughout the lineup.
He usually steps up to the plate in the third or fourth spot and can unleash the power at times, but especially thrives as a situational hitter. Delivering base hits and energy to get the team moving are immense parts of his arsenal.
“I try and hit for average. I never want to strike out, that’s the thing I hate most because every single time I swing the bat, I should be able to put the ball in play no matter what pitch it is,” Varney said.
Following his fourth Islander varsity season, the next step on Varney’s baseball path will be as a member of the Pumas squad at Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona.
“I just think it will be a great opportunity for me to get more exposure and really put my name out there,” said Varney, who committed to the school about a month ago.
In the college classroom realm, he may either major in psychology or sports media/broadcasting.
The Reporter asked Varney a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life:
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People repeating themselves. When someone repeats themself just to be heard by everyone. You told it once or twice, you’ve got the point across and now it’s time to move forward.
What’s your favorite restaurant on the Island?
My parents have raised me to be a huge sushi guy, so I’m going to have to go with Sushi Joa.
If they were to make a movie about you, what actor would play you?
I’d say Ryan Reynolds. Even though he’s a big superstar, I just feel I have that type of humor that he does. I’m serious a lot, but when I’m serious you’ll hear me crack jokes and you’ll hear me be sarcastic at times. That’s just kind of part of who I am. It’s all about me trying to balance things. (In films, Reynolds is) a funny guy, but also he knows how to have real conversations and knows how to deal with things in front of him.
If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I would just want to have dinner (and hear) how he was able to find success and what his path was, because he didn’t take an easy path at all. He had a really hard upbringing. A rough time.
What special skill would you like to learn?
A hobby of mine is cooking. I want to just be a really good cook and be able to cook anything, essentially. I’d say I’m a good cook, I call myself “Chef Varney” as a joke sometimes (laughs). When I go to college, I want to be able to cook a nice dinner for my roommates.
What’s your dream vacation spot?
I just want to explore, in general, but I would say probably Greece, just ‘cause of the scenic view and everything it encompasses.
ISLANDER SCHEDULE
March 25: JUANITA, 6 p.m.
March 28: at Liberty, 4:30 p.m.
April 1: BELLEVUE, 6 p.m.
April 2: ROOSEVELT, 1 p.m.
April 5: HAZEN, 6 p.m.
April 7: at Interlake, 5 p.m.
April 8: at Tahoma, 6 p.m.
April 12: LAKE WASHINGTON, 6 p.m.
April 14: at Juanita, 4:30 p.m.
April 18: LIBERTY, 6 p.m.
April 22: at Bellevue, 4:30 p.m.
April 25: vs. Hazen at Bannerwood, 7 p.m.
April 27: INTERLAKE, 6 p.m.
April 29: at Lake Washington at Peter Kirk (Lee Johnson Field), 7:15 p.m.
All home games at Island Crest Park
