Episcopal Baseball

Clayton Hodges

Written by: Tyrah Walker Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Coming from a family full of athletes, it was no surprise that senior Clayton Hodges would continue the baseball legacy within his family. The 18-year-old comes from a line of baseball athletes, including his grandfather who was drafted into the Yankees (but couldn’t continue due to also being drafted to the Vietnam war) and his father, who played all throughout high school. Baseball was destined to be a part of his life.The Jacksonville University commit has been playing the sport ever since the age of four with no years off and always perfecting his game.

What makes Hodges different from other baseball players out there? He says it's his reason for playing the game. Hodges is a young man of faith, which keeps him grounded. He uses the gift that has been given to him on the baseball field to glorify God’s name.

“I’m really faith oriented,” said Hodges. “I want the way that I play baseball, for people to see Jesus through that. I want to be a light in the way that I play the game.”

Another player you would think of that gives all his credit to God is football and baseball player, Tim Tebow, who is someone that Hodges looks up to as an athlete. Tebow always puts his best foot forward and works hard no matter how difficult it can be. Hodges takes one of Tebow’s quotes and applies it to his work ethic.

The quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” “That quote really struck a nerve,” said Hodges. “When I was younger I was not thinking that I would even be playing college baseball just because I was so small or nobody would even look at me, but I knew that I wanted to do that.”

The Episcopal School of Jacksonville baseball team is under the coaching of Mike Jones, who has been the head coach for over 15 years. Coach Jones had a successful career in professional baseball, playing four years in Major League Baseball (MLB), so Hodges has a great mentor to look up to in addition to his family. He credits Coach Jones as being like a second grandfather to him. He’s known him for the past nine years. Coach Mike has not only helped Hodges with the physical part of baseball but mentally as well.

“He’s been there through the thick and thin,” Hodges said. “He’s always been my mentor on the baseball side of things, always encouraged me and always pulled me up to do it. So he’s really one of the big contributors that I have in my athletic career.” Hodges loves playing with his teammates and will certainly miss playing with them once he graduates. He’s looking forward to competing and going all the way to the end (state championship) with the team. “We have a really talented team, a lot of good players and good pitching staff.” said Hodges. “We’re not loaded with people, but we have some younger guys that are going to be big contributors.”

Last year the team’s season was put to a halt in the middle of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic (They were only able to play seven games before the shutdown). The shutdown crushed many teams but this year the Eagles are on track and ready to give it their all. The team is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of everyone by wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Hodges says it has been a challenge but they are working through it and have been anxiously waiting for their moment to get back out there.

“Everyone hates it but it’s just a stepping stone,” he said. “Our coach was telling us that that’s going to make it that much sweeter that we made it as far as we did in the season with COVID. Episcopal has handled it really well with the COVID protocol. It’s been fun.”

The team was shut down once for a week but they are committed to being healthy and strong.

After he graduates from Episcopal, Hodges will be calling Jacksonville University (JU) his home for the next four years. He is excited to become a Dolphin to continue his athletic and academic journey. He’s also excited to have Coach Hayes and Coach Steedley coach him to be even better than he already is. He made his commitment to JU in October of 2019. JU is a part of the NCAA Division 1 program and competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference. One of his reasons for committing there was being close to home to watch his younger brother grow up.

“It was a great fit for me,” said Hodges. “I Love the environment and they’re a bunch of grinders over there. That's what drew me towards it.” JU has produced many players who made it to the major leagues including Juan Padilla (New York Yankees) and Nick Regilio (Texas Rangers).

Hodges is the one to look out for this year as the team aims to win the state championship. He is ranked as one of the top baseball players here in Jacksonville and still remains humble. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll see him playing for your favorite baseball team after college.

Every athlete needs to improve on something and one thing Hodges is hoping to improve on this season is making himself the best well-rounded player he can be. “Making myself the best player all around,” said Hodges. “Working as hard as I can to make myself the best I can be.”