>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

NICE DEAL: Zach Nice will make a trip to Arizona to play on the Northwest USA junior team. The tournament will run June 21- 28. - Observer file photo

Zach Nice is a gifted athlete — and baseball is his specialty.

The La Grande High School sophomore started turning the head of his current coach, Mark Lanman, before the two joined forces a season ago.

“You would see him and his dad (Todd) throwing the baseball in the park,” Lanman said. “He was always working on something to get better.”

The journey to get better started as Nice followed in the footsteps of his father.

Todd also played baseball for the Tigers. He took the field at first and third base. Todd also spent time on the pitching mound.

Even though Zach and his older brother, Anthony, tagged along with dad at the baseball field, it wasn’t a life forced upon them.

“We gave the boys an opportunity to play or do whatever they wanted,” Todd said. “The only rule was that you finish what you start. We wanted them to learn that lesson while they were young so they would carry it with them.”

Zach showcased exactly what he was capable of doing during a 10-year-old all-star game against Pendleton.

His fastball popped against the catchers mitt 18 times for strikeouts.

The Pendleton batters felt helpless, trying to bunt to make contact. They did three times. All three went down as outs.

Nice toed the rubber one pitch away from a perfect game. Another fastball went off the catcher’s glove, and the runner reached on an error.

“It was kind of a relief his didn’t throw a perfect game, yet,” Todd said. “That’s a lot for a young kid to handle.”

Even with all the success — a 2007 Class 4A state championship — you wouldn’t see it by watching him around the field.

Prying an answer from Nice about his ability is like trying to take something shiny from a raccoon.

“(Zach) lets his performance speak for itself,” Todd said. “People can see what you do. If you work hard, you’re going to get noticed.”

But don’t mistake his quiet demeanor as a lack of competitive fire.

Zach was born competing against Anthony — in a more often than not, a friendly way.

From Whiffle ball to video games and in to the classroom everything is a battle to be the best.

“(Anthony and I) have the same math class right now,” Zach said. “We’re competing to see who gets the best grade.”

No matter how quiet Zach remains, his fastball speaks volumes.

Despite getting off to a slow start this season, Nice was selected to represent the Northwest at the USA Baseball 16U Championships in Peoria, Ariz.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Nice said. “I really don’t know what to expect. There are going to be a lot of quality athletes playing. It’ll be a test to step outside my comfort zone and play with different teammates.”

Nice is projected in the top-50 Oregon prospects for 2010 — at 22nd.

“There’s no doubt he’s a special player,” Lanman said. “He’s so easy to coach. (Zach) listens to whatever you say, and does it. Even though he’s not a vocal leader, he leads through his actions. It’s not too often he makes a mistake, and the team respects him because of that.”

The tournament will run from June 23 through the 28.

Until then Nice is turning his attention to offsetting the cost of the trip.

His mother, Susie, kicked off the fundraising effort by making quilts with her sister.

Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 a piece or three tickets for $10.

The drawing will be held on June 10.

The Nice family will also be searching for other ways to raise money for the trip down south.

Anyone with fundraising tips or donations can call the Nice household at 963-8110.