For LMC pitcher Zane Baltz, baseball has never been just a game, it’s a lifestyle built on discipline, preparation, and passion. This season on the mound for the Mustangs, he’s made a quiet but impressive impact. Through 12.2 innings pitched, he’s posted an incredible 0.00 ERA (Earned run average) with 16 strikeouts and a 1.03 WHIP (Walks plus hits per inning pitched), showing poise and efficiency in the bullpen for his team.
His journey began at age 5 in Fremont, where he joined a Cal Ripken team coached by a friend’s dad. “I was super excited to play,” Baltz said. That early joy quickly turned into a long-term commitment. Over time, pitching became his focus, and his challenge.
“I enjoy the intricacies and difficulty the most about being a pitcher,” he said. “It’s more complex than other positions. Biomechanics, ranges of motion, and precision matter more than strength and speed.”
That attention to detail carries into his game-day routine. The night before a start, he visualizes every pitch he’ll throw. Game day begins with hot tub recovery and meditation, followed by a light workout to fine-tune his mechanics. “I focus on making sure every joint is healthy and my movements are optimal,” he said.
His results on the mound reflect that level of care. He’s been one of the most reliable pieces of the Mustangs bullpen, quietly shutting down opponents whenever called upon.
Behind the scenes, Baltz juggles much more than baseball. Balancing athletics, schoolwork, and a part-time job hasn’t been easy. “There’s no time to procrastinate. Getting enough sleep is crucial, and my whole schedule revolves around baseball,” he said.
The biggest challenge of his career came during his sophomore year of high school when he suffered a painful flare-up in his ulnar nerve in his arm affecting his spine after a spike in velocity. “I pushed through it at first, and it left me feeling like I had to throw up from the pain,” he said. At one point, surgery felt like a real possibility. But thanks to a referral from a mentor, he found a physical therapist who helped him rehab without it. The experience changed how he approached his body and the game.
“I had to come to terms with the idea that my season was over,” he said. “But I came out of it stronger and more focused.”
A lifelong San Diego Padres fan, Baltz grew up idolizing longtime baseball legend Tony Gwynn and once saw himself more as a hitter than a pitcher. “I read The Art of Hitting all the time,” he said. “At the time, I modeled my swing and approach to him.” That passion for detail and technique eventually carried over to the mound.
Now, his motivation comes from both his love for the game and the support of his family. “My parents were the biggest influence,” he said. “They supported me financially through travel ball and helped me mentally when I hit slumps. I owe a lot of my opportunities to them.”
When it’s time to take the field, his walkup song Runaway by Bon Jovi blasts through the speakers. It’s a nod to his love for 80s rock and helps him enter what he calls “flow state.”
Looking ahead, Baltz hopes to continue building on this season and eventually earn a chance to play at the next level. His mindset, shaped by struggle and sharpened through structure, seems built for the long haul.
“It’s a kids’ game, but I’ve put everything I have into it,” he said.
