A native of Lahaina, Maui, Ben Zeigler-Namoa, has made an instant impact in his first year with the Hawai'i baseball team. The sophomore has been used as a two-way player, becoming a mainstay at the top of the order in addition to seeing action on the mound. Zeigler-Namoa's high energy, versatility and dedication to the growth of his team will make him a fan-favorite during his time as a Rainbow Warrior.
What is your earliest memory of baseball (playing, watching, etc.)?
My earliest memory is playing in the Lahaina Little League. Then, there's my first tee-ball game on a football field, playing with five other teams on the field and just hitting a baseball.
What other activities do you like to do in your leisure time?
Golf's a lot of fun. I played junior golf when I was younger. I can play any sport. I like to be active and I like to just move around. I also love my sleep. Sleep is prime.
Do you have a favorite MLB player or team? Why?
My favorite team has to be the Minnesota Twins since my mom's from there. I haven't really had my own team to support since we're from Hawai'i and there isn't a baseball team here. When I was younger, it was Maui No Ka Oi, the Islanders team. They were a professional team back then but I was really young at that time.
How is your first season with the 'Bows going so far?
It's going great! I can't complain, I'm playing pretty well. Though we could be playing a little better, we're off and going now so I'm happy about that. If we could be consistently hitting, pitching and just doing all the small things right then I think we're going to have a really good season.
How does your experience with UH differ from your experience with Yavapai?
JUCO is definitely more individual-based. You compete for yourself but you're also competing for a scholarship at the next level, but here, it's all about winning. It doesn't matter who you are and they don't care that you're an individual. It's a brotherhood here and it's fun.
Being from Maui, does playing at UH mean a little more to you?
Man, it's crazy. I used to watch these games all the time when I was younger. I would just stream old games and watch it. I think about it now and imagine that there could be a little kid watching me, having the same experience, and it's just a full circle. It's crazy.
How did you overcome the seasons you lost with Baldwin during COVID?
The weight room, for sure. I was getting bigger and stronger to keep my mind off of everything but not having a junior or senior season hurt. It gave me more of an edge though to do better for my college career. And it's gotten me this far so I'm happy with what I've achieved.
How have you grown personally or athletically to be the player you are today?
I've grown more mature, 100 percent. I think the game at its different levels has taught me different life lessons. At this point, the biggest thing I've learned is to be more mature and not to take things for granted as much; to balance having life experiences but to also make smart decisions.
Would you say the UH Baseball team is unique? How/In what ways?
We have a universal way of playing: we can small ball you to death, we can hit home runs, we can hit multiple doubles in a row, we can string them together, and then on the pitching side and the defensive side, we just compete. That's what makes us super unique. We just compete and we try to control as much as we can.
What goals do you have for yourself by the end of this season?
Honestly, it's not a draft year for me or anything. Every year matters in your college career of course, but for me, it's more team-based this year. I really want to go to regional and I think these guys deserve to go to regional. I just want to play this game at the highest level possible as my end goal for this year.
What mentality do you have to sustain yourself throughout a game?
It's a dog mentality. That's what gets me through a game. Whether I'm playing or not, I always have high energy, and I'm always trying to give as much as I can to my teammates. I just want to go after people.
How has it been to play in front of the home crowd at Les Murakami Stadium?
It is so crazy. You have kids yelling your name, you get an 'Ohana feel from the fans and they're all engaged. You don't get that in baseball anywhere else but here. Everyone's engaged, they want you to do good, and they're all supporting you. It's all one mana into you.
You've been used as a two-way player over the first half of the season. What is that like and what does that mean to you?
If you would have asked me this question a year ago, I would have thought you'd be crazy that I'd be a two way at a D1, but it means a lot. It means that the work I've been putting in throughout my life is really paying off. I think it gives a leeway to kids to really strive for greatness on both sides of the ball. I think I'm just a stepping stone and that in the future, you are going to see so many more people that are going to be much better than I am.
How do you manage to separate yourself into Pitching Ben vs Hitting Ben?
You just pitch one inning and then you hit the dugout and as soon as you throw a helmet on, it's just a whole different mindset. It's just a switch in my head that goes off. Going from pitching to hitting in a game is a lot harder than vice versa for me. In hitting, it's only a small portion of pitches so if you don't do good, then you can't get rattled. You just have to be able to flush things.
Do you see yourself coaching baseball in the future?
Yes, 100 percent. After watching our coaches and the coaches I've had at every level, I definitely would want to do it one day. I don't know when or how it would come about but it's definitely in the back of my head.
Do you have any ideas for what your life after UH would look like?
Hopefully The MLB Draft. That's definitely one of the goals but if that doesn't happen, I'd like to be an entrepreneur of some sort. I want to make a difference in the Hawai'i community after watching many athletes come from here. The biggest people you see, are the people who make the biggest difference. I want to be one of those people.
