East Ridge senior Brad Schmidt has been a key to the Raptors’ strong start this season. He took a few moments to talk about life on the diamond.

Most memorable moment as a high school athlete so far? Beating Woodbury last year in [the] section [playoffs] 9-1.

First baseball memory: In T-ball, I played for the maroon Scooby-Doos. A kid came to our pictures in a wagon and he was crying, and I got really annoyed. I later found out that he had just broken his leg and [I] felt really bad. Eventually [we] became good friends.

How important is baseball to you? Extremely. It has given me so many great moments and memories that it will be very difficult when it is all over.

Three things that you couldn’t play without: Pregame music, (especially “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco); laughs with the team, and a pregame break with the team.

Baseball is: Summer, friends, memories and pride.

The key to a strong start: Enthusiasm and hard work leading up to the beginning of the season, along with taking lots of cuts in the offseason.

Favorite part of a game: Late-inning at-bats in a close game, and getting the opportunity to be the hero.

One small tip before a big game: Play with confidence.

Before an at-bat … I watch the pitcher to learn things, then I think to myself “hit the ball hard and do your job.”

The best thing about East Ridge: The people. It seems that this school has an energy and excitement that is really cool.