Thomas Worthington Alumni, Jacob King, has taken a different approach to the college lifestyle. King graduated with honors in 2024. His love and passion for the sport of baseball quickly led him to the Czech Republic to pursue his academic and athletic career. He is currently playing on Kotlářská Praha. Kings’ mother is originally from Prague, which has made his transition to the new country easier than expected.
“I have been to Prague so many times that it doesn’t feel like a foreign country to me,” said King. I love the vibe that the city brings”.
Baseball has been a central part of the King Family from starting T-Ball at just five years old, to now hoping to play for the Czech National Team.
“My relationship with my dad has its foundation in baseball, from watching the cubs together, to him coaching me,” King explains.
The real question revolves around King’s motivation to get him to where he is now.
“Watching the MLB impacts my mental and physical performance on the field,” reflects King. “It’s like watching film, only the best in the world. Watching the pros makes me want to strive for more and work harder. The MLB shows me the opportunities that baseball can lead you to.”
Specifically, King mostly looks up to the Chicago Cubs. He admires their strong will and community spirit. For an individual player, King looks up to Detroit Tigers’ number one prospect, Max Clark, and New York player Anthony Rizzo.
Baseball is often recognized as America’s sport. Out of the 30 MLB teams, 29 are located in the U.S. The other is based in Toronto, Canada. Over the years, the sport has evolved to make the game as safe as possible but still draws in the crowd. However, in the Czech Republic, things sound a little different.
“There is a different culture in baseball here,” says King. “There is less focus on defense leaving hitting as the defining point of a player. The coaches have drills that would have been banned in the US for being too dangerous. For example, we use a machine to throw a ball 300 ft in the air. The outfielder is required to do two front rolls before he catches it.”
Along with the difference in baseball culture, there is a drastic difference in the country’s cultures as well.
“Since the legal drinking age is 18, we almost always go out for a beer after our games,” King states. “Bars and Pubs are a common hangout spot. We even drink with our professors sometimes.”
King is involved in a special program in the Czech Republic. While he has picked up on some basics of the Czech language throughout his childhood, he is in mostly English-speaking classes. This provides him with the best possible education he can get while also getting to know new people from around the world.
“There is a wide variety of cultures, with kids from almost every continent,” King says. “The people I know best are Azerbaijanis, Russians, Americans, and Canadians. I have a lot of friends who are all in the same boat as me so I have a good network of people with similar backgrounds.”
People who know Jacob King personally will tell you that he is the smartest, kindest, and hardest worker they know.
“I think it’s awesome that Jake decided to go overseas and continue his baseball career,” says Jacob’s best friend, Jacoby Sterling. “I’m so proud of him and his dedication.”
King would like to leave future graduates with this advice: “You have to go with the flow and be willing to be uncomfortable and put yourself out there. Try and do your best to adapt to the people around you and accommodate their needs. It’s been a great experience for me so far but I have had my moments of doubt. However, I promise in the end you will see you have made the right choice.”
