Q & A with Rockland Boulders third baseman Cody Regis

Back on February 23, the Rockland Boulders announced the re-signing of third baseman Cody Regis. In his first season, Regis put up MVP numbers in the first half of the season, batting .307 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 92 hits, 15 doubles and 52 runs scored. This resulted in Regis being named to the Can-Am League All-Star Team.

However, Regis sustained an oblique injury leading to an extended period of time on the disabled list in the second half of the season. Regis still managed to finish up 2017 hitting .299 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI. This past Monday, I had the opportunity to speak with Regis on the phone.

Double G Sports: Cody, how does it feel to be back for a 2^nd season with the Rockland Boulders?

Cody Regis: I’m excited, had a great time last year and a lot of fun, great team/bunch of guys and looking forward to getting back out there and playing ball. Prior to the off-season I worked on a few different things, changed up my swing and approach a little bit. Obviously saw some good results with in the first half of the season then had unfortunate oblique injury after the All-Star break that hampered my second half a little bit but that first half what I was trying to do and excited about the hard work I put in the off-season and really paid off.

It was a great year, a lot of fun and biggest thing well kind of bonded and came together as a team really well and just went out and played ball, had fun doing it, competed and really showed. The first time I was on a team that really put up the power numbers and had up and down the lineup one through nine you had guys that could hit it out and not really a weak link in our lineup and what Joe(Maloney) did was just special and could be part of that and witness.

Double G Sports: You lost the majority of the infield this past off-season, can you talk about playing along side Joe Maloney, Dylan Tice and Mike Fransoso.

Cody Regis: A lot of fun, obviously within a team there are little groups and cliques and the infield is one of those groups and as infielder you have a lot of pride in your defense because you have to play well on both sides of the ball and we were able to do that. We had one of the most talented defensive infields I have ever been a part of and tough losing those three guys but it’s part of the game and a business after all.

Double G Sports: Can you talk about playing for Manager Jamie Keefe?

Cody Regis: It starts with Jamie (Keefe). Skip leads us and a presence in the locker room and head strong in us clicking as a team and obviously need guys in the locker room to jump on board. Jamie(Keefe) really headed the ship very well through our ups and down and injuries. He kept everyone focused on the end goal. We didn’t steamroll through everyone, rebounded really well to all the adversity we faced.

In pro ball it’s something you get used to, guys are going to constantly come in and out throughout the season and props to Jamie for the type of people he wanted to bring in and not just the caliber of what kind of player they were but bringing in high quality guys that weren’t going to be a problem or have issues or egos.

Double G Sports: How would you describe your first season playing in the Can-Am League?

Cody Regis: A lot of fun, being from the West Coast, a whole different world out there than on the East Coast. My first time going up to Canada and cool to experience that. My aunt, uncle, cousins and grandparents’ live in the Rockland area and being able to see them and let them see me play baseball for the first time that was very special.

Double G Sports: How did it feel playing at Palisades Credit Union Park?

Cody Regis: It’s awesome, the fans are just incredible out there and make a huge difference when you’re in the grind during the middle of the season and playing every single day for months on end. Just the energy the crowd brings you really feed off and our fans are the best in the league and huge part of the success we are having. Being able to play under the lights at that stadium with these fans was electric.

Double G Sports: I know your main goal is to win a championship with the Boulders, how badly do you want to return to affiliated ball as well.

Cody Regis: That’s the main reason why we’re playing and if we can make it to the to top level in the major leagues. I had my shot with the (Arizona) Diamondbacks and got released before I came to the Boulders. I had a couple of tough injuries and still feel confident in the player I am and skills I can bring to the field and taking it one day at a time and know a lot of people who do not get that opportunity to play ball so I’m blessed.

Double G Sports: In closing, you are going to be one of the veterans on the Boulders roster this season. What does that mean to pass down the experiences from last season down to the newcomers?

Cody Regis: A big deal, one of the veterans playing on this team, going into my fifth professional season and I have a lot of experience. I love being able to help out guys with whatever they need, I’m not definitely not going to be in someone’s face about anything but feel I’m more of a lead by example guys and a lot to bring to the table.