University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Summer Sessions: Q&A With Olin Johnson
August 1, 2024 | Baseball
Q: Did you get any time off between returning from Omaha and going to the CCBL?
OJ: I went home for a few days and then drove up. I settled in quickly. Everything has been great, and I'm having a lot of fun.
Q: How's your experience been living with your host family?
OJ: It's been great. Duke catcher Macon Winslow, who is also from Washington, is my roommate, and our host is just one guy. He's been terrific. He's really easygoing and laidback and provides us with anything we need.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
OJ: After breakfast, I'll go to the gym, then come back and grab some lunch before heading to the field. Depending on the situation, I'll throw some before the game and go through the typical pregame routine. Once the game is over, it's time for dinner.
Q: What areas of your game have you been working on?
OJ: My primary focus has been getting better mentally on the mound. I struggled with that last season and let the game speed up around me. I've dedicated this summer to not focusing on results but on how I'm doing mentally. I feel like I've been able to slow the game down, and I feel like I've improved with each outing.
Q: What was it like being able to take the field for the Cape's workout day at Fenway Park?
OJ: That was a couple of days after I got here, so I didn't know what to expect, but everybody was hyped up for it. Historically, that's a ballpark you want to be at, and getting to go out in the outfield, stand in front of the Green Monster, and soak it all in was really cool.
Q: How would you describe playing at the ballparks across the league and the unique setting?
OJ: It's fun playing on the high school fields. It takes you back to the basics. That's what I grew up playing on, the smaller fields. There are bleachers and hills to sit on. It just reminds me of playing when I was younger.
Q: Considering this was your first taste of summer ball and the Cape is the premier summer league, what expectations did you have upon arriving in New England?
OJ: I had no crazy expectations because I wasn't super familiar with it. I expected the competition to be good, and that's what it has been. It's a really big deal in the towns you are in. When you walk around town in a hat or a shirt, people know you're on the team and want to talk to you about it. It's really cool to see the same people we see around town at the games.
Q: What will you remember about playing in the CCBL this summer?
OJ: Playing with a bunch of guys from a bunch of different programs. You've got the full spectrum of schools here, ranging from D3 to D1. It's cool to learn everyone's routine and compare programs. I've connected with guys from across the country that I might not see during the year but I've made a lot new friends that I can reach out to.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about returning to Chapel Hill?
OJ: I'm excited to return to The Bosh and be with my teammates and friends.
OJ: I went home for a few days and then drove up. I settled in quickly. Everything has been great, and I'm having a lot of fun.
Q: How's your experience been living with your host family?
OJ: It's been great. Duke catcher Macon Winslow, who is also from Washington, is my roommate, and our host is just one guy. He's been terrific. He's really easygoing and laidback and provides us with anything we need.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
OJ: After breakfast, I'll go to the gym, then come back and grab some lunch before heading to the field. Depending on the situation, I'll throw some before the game and go through the typical pregame routine. Once the game is over, it's time for dinner.
Q: What areas of your game have you been working on?
OJ: My primary focus has been getting better mentally on the mound. I struggled with that last season and let the game speed up around me. I've dedicated this summer to not focusing on results but on how I'm doing mentally. I feel like I've been able to slow the game down, and I feel like I've improved with each outing.
Q: What was it like being able to take the field for the Cape's workout day at Fenway Park?
OJ: That was a couple of days after I got here, so I didn't know what to expect, but everybody was hyped up for it. Historically, that's a ballpark you want to be at, and getting to go out in the outfield, stand in front of the Green Monster, and soak it all in was really cool.
Q: How would you describe playing at the ballparks across the league and the unique setting?
OJ: It's fun playing on the high school fields. It takes you back to the basics. That's what I grew up playing on, the smaller fields. There are bleachers and hills to sit on. It just reminds me of playing when I was younger.
Q: Considering this was your first taste of summer ball and the Cape is the premier summer league, what expectations did you have upon arriving in New England?
OJ: I had no crazy expectations because I wasn't super familiar with it. I expected the competition to be good, and that's what it has been. It's a really big deal in the towns you are in. When you walk around town in a hat or a shirt, people know you're on the team and want to talk to you about it. It's really cool to see the same people we see around town at the games.
Q: What will you remember about playing in the CCBL this summer?
OJ: Playing with a bunch of guys from a bunch of different programs. You've got the full spectrum of schools here, ranging from D3 to D1. It's cool to learn everyone's routine and compare programs. I've connected with guys from across the country that I might not see during the year but I've made a lot new friends that I can reach out to.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about returning to Chapel Hill?
OJ: I'm excited to return to The Bosh and be with my teammates and friends.
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