The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – November 12, 2013 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen have inked University of Cincinnati outfielder Rob Blissitt, Jr. for the 2014 season. 

Blissitt was a second-team all-area selection as a senior at Thornwood High School in Illinois last season.  He received all-conference accolades all four years of high school, compiling a .354 batting average, 19 RBIs, two home runs and 13 stolen bases during his senior year. 

Blissitt is enjoying his college experience thus far during the fall season at Cincinnati.

“It’s been great,” he said.  “I just love playing baseball.  Where I’m from, we don’t really get to play baseball in the fall, so coming down to college and playing has been fun.”

Blissitt is confident in his offensive ability, but it working to improve his outfield defense this season.

“I feel like I can hang on the offense side, I can do some things with the bat, but on defense it’s my first year playing outfield, so I need to learn the aspect of being an outfielder,” he said.

Blissitt was a three-sport athlete at Thornwood, but his top priority was always his performance on the diamond.

“I played basketball and football in high school just to stay fit,” he said.  “I really like them, but baseball was always my main focus.  Even during football and basketball seasons, I was still dedicated to baseball.”

Cincinnati coach Ty Neal described Blissitt as a high-energy guy who plays with a lot of heart and passion.

“He’s a guy that’s first in all of our conditioning drills,” Neal said.  “He has pretty good strike zone awareness.  He’s got the zone awareness of a leadoff guy, but he’s probably more of an eight or nine guy for us.  He’s a good young man; he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Blissitt is looking forward to the chance to stay close to home in the summer while playing for the Oilmen.

“It’s close to home; I live like 30 minutes away,” he said.  “I heard they were a good team to play for, I like the league.”