Tarik Skubal visited his former school in Kingman, Arizona, just before heading to Spring Training.
Skubal’s goal was to bring himself down to the students’ level and remind them that he was once in their position, a kid with big dreams.
Connecting with Kids in Kingman
Skubal said it is important to give back to kids. He feels it’s good to get in front of them and let them know he’s a human who played basketball in the same gym that they did. He acknowledges many youngsters idolise him.
Skubal finds that the kids are most interested in his dogs. They also ask about his velocity and are impressed when he tells them he can throw 100.
He is growing to appreciate his position as a role model both at home and in Detroit.
Giving Back to His Roots
Skubal considers being in his position a privilege and doesn’t take it lightly. He wants to help kids understand that whatever their dream or passion is, they should pursue it and enjoy it, as life’s too short not to.
In Kingman, Skubal is seen as an example of a local kid who has made it big. He has not forgotten his roots and has given back to youth baseball, the Little League, and his alma mater, Kingman Academy High School.
While he doesn’t want a field named after him, he wants his efforts to be ongoing. Skubal has plans for the future, but developing and gathering things takes time.
Hometown Support in Arizona
Though Skubal now lives closer to Phoenix, he still considers Kingman home. He continues to show up for Kingman.
A large part of Kingman is expected to show up for Skubal when he starts against the Diamondbacks. They will make the three-plus hour drive to see their hometown hero.
Skubal believes many people from Kingman will drive up to see him, even those he doesn’t know are coming.