University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Trio of Bulldog Baseball Alums Proudly Playing Game They Love Overseas
05.18.2019 | Baseball
Justin Woods knows it could not have been possible without UNC Asheville.
"I am very thankful for all that UNC Asheville, my teammates, Scott Friedholm and the coaching staff have done for me and prepared me for," Woods said. "I look forward to being on campus in the fall and catching up with everyone."
Before Woods makes his way back to UNC Asheville though he will continue living out his dream of playing professional baseball. He is presently suiting up for Skokani Olomouc in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
He is not the only Bulldog excelling professionally after their time as a member of the baseball program with Lucas Owens also playing for the Vienna Wanderers in Vienna, Austria. In addition, Parker Swindell is currently playing for the Nettuno2 Baseball Club in Nettuno, which is a town in the metropolitan city of Rome, Italy. Owens and Swindell graduated from UNC Asheville in 2016, while Woods graduated in 2017.
Owens just started his adventures overseas recently.
"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to travel overseas and play," Owens said. "The experience is one that not everyone gets to enjoy. I was able to play independent professional baseball in the states before coming over here. In 2016, in Trinidad, Colorado and for a short stint in 2017 in Schaumburg, Illinois. I hope to be able to bring what I've learned over my career to better baseball as a whole and to bring the excitement of the game to kids in this country."
Swindell is now in his third season overseas.
"I have played two seasons and am in the midst of my third," Swindell said. "The first in Spain, the second in Austria and the third here in Italy," Swindell said. "The cultural differences are the biggest takeaway for me. To feel like an outsider, not only socially but also culturally, for the first time for many (or, realistically, most) of us is who were fortunate enough to play D1 sports is an amazing learning experience. It can be hard without a doubt, but having baseball to help incorporate you into communities that would otherwise feel impossible to get to know is something you really can't take for granted. Overall it's an amazing experience."
In playing in the Czech Republic, Woods is now playing professional baseball in his third country. He also played for the Hunstetten Storm in Germany and the East Torrens Red Sox in Australia.
"All of the people, places and cultures that I have had the chance to experience on this international journey have been invaluable," Woods said. "Your perspective of the world grows with each new city and country, and I have been lucky enough to see 14 new countries since leaving the US last March. I've had to learn how to communicate and coach in different languages, do various currency conversions in my head and navigate using all types of public transport. I have been able to walk inside buildings older than our country, cook a real Australian Barbie and make lifelong friends with people in different corners of the world."
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Owens is amazed with all of the connections he has already made through the game of baseball in Austria.
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"Some of the connections I have already made have benefited me tremendously with meeting the president of the Austrian Baseball Federation," Owens said. "I look forward to reaching out to him and discussing Major League University, an organization started by retired professional players, created almost a year ago focusing on building players mentally and growing the baseball community by giving back with camps, seminars and personal training. I look forward to helping spread the word internationally for them."
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Swindell hopes that many others take the opportunity to play the game they love professionally overseas.
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"The game does in fact exist all around the world at all different levels," Swindell said. "The reality is having a full-time job and having enough time to travel and get to know different places and cultures is extremely difficult, and this is a beautiful way to get around that hurdle and get to explore the world while we're still young and able."
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Recently featured by Baseball Jobs Overseas as a top international pitcher and hitter, Woods is forever thankful for that chance to play the game he cherishes.
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"I could not have been happier to have this opportunity open up to me," Woods said. "After thinking I had exhausted all resources and possibilities to further my baseball career, I got an offer to play for a small club in Germany. I love to compete in this sport and this gave me the chance to do that and much more."Â
You can learn more about Skokani Olomouc HERE. To learn more about the Vienna Wanderers, please visit HERE. You can learn more about the Nettuno2 Baseball Club HERE.Â
To learn more about UNC Asheville baseball, please visit uncabulldogs.com.Â
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"I am very thankful for all that UNC Asheville, my teammates, Scott Friedholm and the coaching staff have done for me and prepared me for," Woods said. "I look forward to being on campus in the fall and catching up with everyone."
Before Woods makes his way back to UNC Asheville though he will continue living out his dream of playing professional baseball. He is presently suiting up for Skokani Olomouc in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
He is not the only Bulldog excelling professionally after their time as a member of the baseball program with Lucas Owens also playing for the Vienna Wanderers in Vienna, Austria. In addition, Parker Swindell is currently playing for the Nettuno2 Baseball Club in Nettuno, which is a town in the metropolitan city of Rome, Italy. Owens and Swindell graduated from UNC Asheville in 2016, while Woods graduated in 2017.
Owens just started his adventures overseas recently.
"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to travel overseas and play," Owens said. "The experience is one that not everyone gets to enjoy. I was able to play independent professional baseball in the states before coming over here. In 2016, in Trinidad, Colorado and for a short stint in 2017 in Schaumburg, Illinois. I hope to be able to bring what I've learned over my career to better baseball as a whole and to bring the excitement of the game to kids in this country."
Swindell is now in his third season overseas.
"I have played two seasons and am in the midst of my third," Swindell said. "The first in Spain, the second in Austria and the third here in Italy," Swindell said. "The cultural differences are the biggest takeaway for me. To feel like an outsider, not only socially but also culturally, for the first time for many (or, realistically, most) of us is who were fortunate enough to play D1 sports is an amazing learning experience. It can be hard without a doubt, but having baseball to help incorporate you into communities that would otherwise feel impossible to get to know is something you really can't take for granted. Overall it's an amazing experience."
In playing in the Czech Republic, Woods is now playing professional baseball in his third country. He also played for the Hunstetten Storm in Germany and the East Torrens Red Sox in Australia.
"All of the people, places and cultures that I have had the chance to experience on this international journey have been invaluable," Woods said. "Your perspective of the world grows with each new city and country, and I have been lucky enough to see 14 new countries since leaving the US last March. I've had to learn how to communicate and coach in different languages, do various currency conversions in my head and navigate using all types of public transport. I have been able to walk inside buildings older than our country, cook a real Australian Barbie and make lifelong friends with people in different corners of the world."
Â
Owens is amazed with all of the connections he has already made through the game of baseball in Austria.
Â
"Some of the connections I have already made have benefited me tremendously with meeting the president of the Austrian Baseball Federation," Owens said. "I look forward to reaching out to him and discussing Major League University, an organization started by retired professional players, created almost a year ago focusing on building players mentally and growing the baseball community by giving back with camps, seminars and personal training. I look forward to helping spread the word internationally for them."
Â
Swindell hopes that many others take the opportunity to play the game they love professionally overseas.
Â
"The game does in fact exist all around the world at all different levels," Swindell said. "The reality is having a full-time job and having enough time to travel and get to know different places and cultures is extremely difficult, and this is a beautiful way to get around that hurdle and get to explore the world while we're still young and able."
Â
Recently featured by Baseball Jobs Overseas as a top international pitcher and hitter, Woods is forever thankful for that chance to play the game he cherishes.
Â
"I could not have been happier to have this opportunity open up to me," Woods said. "After thinking I had exhausted all resources and possibilities to further my baseball career, I got an offer to play for a small club in Germany. I love to compete in this sport and this gave me the chance to do that and much more."Â
You can learn more about Skokani Olomouc HERE. To learn more about the Vienna Wanderers, please visit HERE. You can learn more about the Nettuno2 Baseball Club HERE.Â
To learn more about UNC Asheville baseball, please visit uncabulldogs.com.Â
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