Nathaniel Patrick (Nat) Anglin, like a couple of other teammates before him, found Baseball Ireland on the Internet. He researched it further after the initial find, and decided to get in touch with Sean Mitchell. He eventually met up with Irish Team coach PJ Fox in his hometown of Milton, Massachusetts.
Nat's Grandfather Robert J McNulty was born in Donegal and his Grandmother Mary McNulty is from Galway. He was very close to his grandfather and is still very close to his grandmother. As Nat says, Ireland's heritage and history has always been taught, remembered and revered in his family.
Nat has played baseball his entire life but also played other sports like soccer in his youth. Later on in high school he decided to focus exclusively on baseball. When you talk to him you realise just how much a part of his life is and has been dedicated to baseball;
''I've played since four years of age, through little league, Babe Ruth league, Milton High School Varsity, University Of Mass Boston Varsity (College), 2 Seasons with the University Of Massachusetts at Amherst Club Baseball Team and now playing varsity with the Suffolk University Rams. I have also played several seasons in the Boston Park League and the Yawkey League.''
For the past four winters Nat has been studying in college while also pitching in a clinic in Burlington, MA, once a week with coach Jim Curtain. He does this while training for the College Baseball spring season. He is currently enrolled at Suffolk University where he plays baseball for the Suffolk Rams as both a starting pitcher and an outfielder.
Clearly, as he puts it himself, baseball is a huge part of his life;
''Some (people his age) respect it while others think I'm crazy for getting up early to train and so forth. I don't really care either way, my family and close friends respect me for playing, that's all I care about.''
After contacting Baseball Ireland Nat came on board for the Irish Team's 2005 tour of Long Beach, California. Nat fitted in immediately, helping Ireland win not only through pitching but also with his bat.
Nat Anglin (right) on the Irish team's LA tour of 2005
On that tour, against the MSBL Mets Nat had a sensational game. Ireland went behind early 1-7 but slowly fought their way back. In the seventh inning Nat stepped up to the plate and launched a huge three run bomb to deep left field scoring three runs and bringing Team Ireland to within 6-7 and rocking the Mets back onto their heels. Nat went a ridiculous 4/4 with 2 triples, that crucial home run and an even more crucial single leading Ireland to a dramatic come from behind 8-7 win.
Nat was in integral part of the '06 team that fought to a silver medal in the European Pool B Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. He ranks the semi final against hosts Belgium as one of the most exciting games he has ever seen or taken part in;
''Favorite team moment on the field was absolutely beating Belgium on their home turf. Allot of whispers leading up to the game didn't give us a chance in hell, but (Brendan) Bergerson pitched one of the gutsiest games I've ever seen, never mind been a part of. It was a pleasure to watch. Not to mention the sweet swing of Joe Kealty, who crushed a ridiculous two run home run. The game was as exciting as any baseball I've ever seen.''
Off the field Nat's favourite moment with the Irish Team came after the same tournament, with the guys disappointed to lose to Croatia but banding together after a great tournament culminating in the silver medal finish. He described it as such;
''Grouping together after a tough loss in the gold medal game to Croatia. We went to a little Irish Pub in the middle of Antwerp and had quite a good time. It was disappointing to lose, however, it was an excellent time realizing the friends and experience that were being made. The bar was out of control, the twenty something of us screaming the lyrics to every song. I had a great time.''
Nat is a big Red Sox fan, his favourite players of all time are Pedro Martinez and Ted Williams, the latter he calls a 'true American hero.'
Nat is young, talented and destined to lead the Irish Team forward for many years to come.
Other Baseball Ireland who's who entries
.
Nat's Grandfather Robert J McNulty was born in Donegal and his Grandmother Mary McNulty is from Galway. He was very close to his grandfather and is still very close to his grandmother. As Nat says, Ireland's heritage and history has always been taught, remembered and revered in his family.
Nat has played baseball his entire life but also played other sports like soccer in his youth. Later on in high school he decided to focus exclusively on baseball. When you talk to him you realise just how much a part of his life is and has been dedicated to baseball;
''I've played since four years of age, through little league, Babe Ruth league, Milton High School Varsity, University Of Mass Boston Varsity (College), 2 Seasons with the University Of Massachusetts at Amherst Club Baseball Team and now playing varsity with the Suffolk University Rams. I have also played several seasons in the Boston Park League and the Yawkey League.''
For the past four winters Nat has been studying in college while also pitching in a clinic in Burlington, MA, once a week with coach Jim Curtain. He does this while training for the College Baseball spring season. He is currently enrolled at Suffolk University where he plays baseball for the Suffolk Rams as both a starting pitcher and an outfielder.
Clearly, as he puts it himself, baseball is a huge part of his life;
''Some (people his age) respect it while others think I'm crazy for getting up early to train and so forth. I don't really care either way, my family and close friends respect me for playing, that's all I care about.''
After contacting Baseball Ireland Nat came on board for the Irish Team's 2005 tour of Long Beach, California. Nat fitted in immediately, helping Ireland win not only through pitching but also with his bat.
Nat Anglin (right) on the Irish team's LA tour of 2005On that tour, against the MSBL Mets Nat had a sensational game. Ireland went behind early 1-7 but slowly fought their way back. In the seventh inning Nat stepped up to the plate and launched a huge three run bomb to deep left field scoring three runs and bringing Team Ireland to within 6-7 and rocking the Mets back onto their heels. Nat went a ridiculous 4/4 with 2 triples, that crucial home run and an even more crucial single leading Ireland to a dramatic come from behind 8-7 win.
Nat was in integral part of the '06 team that fought to a silver medal in the European Pool B Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. He ranks the semi final against hosts Belgium as one of the most exciting games he has ever seen or taken part in;
''Favorite team moment on the field was absolutely beating Belgium on their home turf. Allot of whispers leading up to the game didn't give us a chance in hell, but (Brendan) Bergerson pitched one of the gutsiest games I've ever seen, never mind been a part of. It was a pleasure to watch. Not to mention the sweet swing of Joe Kealty, who crushed a ridiculous two run home run. The game was as exciting as any baseball I've ever seen.''
Off the field Nat's favourite moment with the Irish Team came after the same tournament, with the guys disappointed to lose to Croatia but banding together after a great tournament culminating in the silver medal finish. He described it as such;
''Grouping together after a tough loss in the gold medal game to Croatia. We went to a little Irish Pub in the middle of Antwerp and had quite a good time. It was disappointing to lose, however, it was an excellent time realizing the friends and experience that were being made. The bar was out of control, the twenty something of us screaming the lyrics to every song. I had a great time.''
Nat is a big Red Sox fan, his favourite players of all time are Pedro Martinez and Ted Williams, the latter he calls a 'true American hero.'
Nat is young, talented and destined to lead the Irish Team forward for many years to come.
Other Baseball Ireland who's who entries
.
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