University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Kari Hodges/UGAAA
Bulldog Spotlight: Getting To Know Daniel Padysak
December 11, 2023 | Baseball
Every Georgia Bulldog takes pride in wearing the "G." Graduate Daniel Padysak is no different, but he also wears another uniform with pride. The right-handed pitcher represented his home country of the Czech Republic on the world stage.
A graduate transfer from Charleston Southern, he started the opener against China in Tokyo for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He provided four scoreless frames, allowing no hits with two walks and a pair of strikeouts in the first WBC win in Czech history.
When did you begin to focus on baseball compared to other sports you played?
"I grew up in the Czech Republic where baseball is not a big sport. My dad was the one who used to play baseball, and I didn't know anything about it. One day he came to me and asked if I wanted to try it. I tried it, played for a couple years, t-ball and little league. I wouldn't say I was very good at it, but I enjoyed it so much. I stuck with it, and the rest is history. Now I am here."
How and when did you come to the United States to pursue a baseball career?
"Because there are not many baseball players in the Czech Republic, I was always part of the national team. When I got older, around 16 or 17-years old, I was able to be part of the men's national team. The head coach of that national team has an academy in Raleigh, N.C. If he thought you were somewhat decent, he would invite you over for a couple months to play and showcase in front of colleges. That is how I got here. I came over for about a month and played in a bunch of different tournaments. That is how I ended up at Charleston Southern University."
Was there a learning curve on American culture?
"I knew nothing about college baseball, whatsoever. I just knew it was a great opportunity to go study abroad. My dream is to play professional baseball. From what I had heard from other people, that was a great way to do it. I was just open. I didn't know the difference between Division I, Division II, Division III or junior college. I was just happy to go play wherever."
Are there any Czech traditions or things that you do that are unique to your heritage?
"I think the culture is similar. There are not that many big differences. I wouldn't say that I do anything different than other people. Maybe my choice of music might be a little different than other people. We have good cuisine back in the Czech Republic. Great food that I kind of miss here."
What has been your favorite baseball memory?
"It has to be qualifying for the WBC with the Czech team. It was a cool story. We went to the tournament as favorites and lost the first game by like 20 runs. It was ridiculous. We turned the whole tournament around and ended up qualifying."
You represented the Czech Republic in the World Baseball Classic and the Olympic Qualifiers. How did you make the team?
"The process is simple. I don't think the national team's roster has changed for the past six years. It was the same guys. That is why I think it was special for us to end up there because it was a long dream in the making. Once we qualified, it was super special because all the guys who were part of the national team, their dream was to end up playing in a tournament like that. I have been on the national team for about six or seven years. It wasn't about making the team. It was about making a tournament as part of the team."
What was that experience like?
"We were fortunate enough to be in the Tokyo group playing in Japan. Baseball there, the fans enjoy it a lot. When we played Japan, the stadium was sold out. It was probably 56,000 people. It was a crazy environment. It was so much fun."
You've been able to play on the international stage. What has that taught you about what kind of player you are?
"It showed me who I am as a person and my character. Being there with the guys from the Czech Republic, I think it is important for me to understand that is where I came from and that is who I am. I am not going to lie, I was nervous. I think anybody would be in that position. We all, as non-professionals with some guys who worked 9-5 jobs, we handled ourselves well. It gave me confidence of how to carry myself on the field on a bigger stage."
What lessons are you going to bring from that experience to Georgia?
"I hope it is a positive change. I haven't really gotten a chance to experience SEC baseball, so I am still looking forward to that. I think it is going to be good. I think it will be the same. The level is going to be different from what I am used to up until now. I am interested to see it."
What went into your decision to finish your collegiate career at Georgia?
"My goal, when I entered the transfer portal, was I wanted to play at a Power Five school. I didn't really know what to expect from it, so I just entered it. When I got the call from Coach (Wes) Johnson, it was pretty much a no brainer for me. I was super excited. As soon as I knew Coach Johnson, Coach (Will) Coggin and all the coaching staff were going to be here at the University of Georgia, it is such a huge name. Even for someone coming from Czech Republic, you have heard of UGA."
What are your goals for this season with this Georgia team?
"Win the national championship. We have a great team and great coaches. We have all the pieces. All we have to do in the spring is come out and play up to our potential. I think we are going to be in a good spot."
How do you like to spend your time away from baseball?
"Baseball, especially right now, takes up most of my time. I am a huge fan of anime. I like to watch anime a lot. That is pretty much it. Mainly baseball."
(Bulldog Spotlight written by Julia Maenius, Georgia Sports Communications Graduate Assistant)
A graduate transfer from Charleston Southern, he started the opener against China in Tokyo for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He provided four scoreless frames, allowing no hits with two walks and a pair of strikeouts in the first WBC win in Czech history.
When did you begin to focus on baseball compared to other sports you played?
"I grew up in the Czech Republic where baseball is not a big sport. My dad was the one who used to play baseball, and I didn't know anything about it. One day he came to me and asked if I wanted to try it. I tried it, played for a couple years, t-ball and little league. I wouldn't say I was very good at it, but I enjoyed it so much. I stuck with it, and the rest is history. Now I am here."
How and when did you come to the United States to pursue a baseball career?
"Because there are not many baseball players in the Czech Republic, I was always part of the national team. When I got older, around 16 or 17-years old, I was able to be part of the men's national team. The head coach of that national team has an academy in Raleigh, N.C. If he thought you were somewhat decent, he would invite you over for a couple months to play and showcase in front of colleges. That is how I got here. I came over for about a month and played in a bunch of different tournaments. That is how I ended up at Charleston Southern University."
Was there a learning curve on American culture?
"I knew nothing about college baseball, whatsoever. I just knew it was a great opportunity to go study abroad. My dream is to play professional baseball. From what I had heard from other people, that was a great way to do it. I was just open. I didn't know the difference between Division I, Division II, Division III or junior college. I was just happy to go play wherever."
Are there any Czech traditions or things that you do that are unique to your heritage?
"I think the culture is similar. There are not that many big differences. I wouldn't say that I do anything different than other people. Maybe my choice of music might be a little different than other people. We have good cuisine back in the Czech Republic. Great food that I kind of miss here."
What has been your favorite baseball memory?
"It has to be qualifying for the WBC with the Czech team. It was a cool story. We went to the tournament as favorites and lost the first game by like 20 runs. It was ridiculous. We turned the whole tournament around and ended up qualifying."
You represented the Czech Republic in the World Baseball Classic and the Olympic Qualifiers. How did you make the team?
"The process is simple. I don't think the national team's roster has changed for the past six years. It was the same guys. That is why I think it was special for us to end up there because it was a long dream in the making. Once we qualified, it was super special because all the guys who were part of the national team, their dream was to end up playing in a tournament like that. I have been on the national team for about six or seven years. It wasn't about making the team. It was about making a tournament as part of the team."
What was that experience like?
"We were fortunate enough to be in the Tokyo group playing in Japan. Baseball there, the fans enjoy it a lot. When we played Japan, the stadium was sold out. It was probably 56,000 people. It was a crazy environment. It was so much fun."
You've been able to play on the international stage. What has that taught you about what kind of player you are?
"It showed me who I am as a person and my character. Being there with the guys from the Czech Republic, I think it is important for me to understand that is where I came from and that is who I am. I am not going to lie, I was nervous. I think anybody would be in that position. We all, as non-professionals with some guys who worked 9-5 jobs, we handled ourselves well. It gave me confidence of how to carry myself on the field on a bigger stage."
What lessons are you going to bring from that experience to Georgia?
"I hope it is a positive change. I haven't really gotten a chance to experience SEC baseball, so I am still looking forward to that. I think it is going to be good. I think it will be the same. The level is going to be different from what I am used to up until now. I am interested to see it."
What went into your decision to finish your collegiate career at Georgia?
"My goal, when I entered the transfer portal, was I wanted to play at a Power Five school. I didn't really know what to expect from it, so I just entered it. When I got the call from Coach (Wes) Johnson, it was pretty much a no brainer for me. I was super excited. As soon as I knew Coach Johnson, Coach (Will) Coggin and all the coaching staff were going to be here at the University of Georgia, it is such a huge name. Even for someone coming from Czech Republic, you have heard of UGA."
What are your goals for this season with this Georgia team?
"Win the national championship. We have a great team and great coaches. We have all the pieces. All we have to do in the spring is come out and play up to our potential. I think we are going to be in a good spot."
How do you like to spend your time away from baseball?
"Baseball, especially right now, takes up most of my time. I am a huge fan of anime. I like to watch anime a lot. That is pretty much it. Mainly baseball."
(Bulldog Spotlight written by Julia Maenius, Georgia Sports Communications Graduate Assistant)
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballGeorgia Baseball - NCAA Regional vs Oklahoma State - Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, June 01
Georgia Baseball - NCAA Regional vs Duke - Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, May 31
Georgia Baseball - NCAA Regional vs Binghamton - TV Highlights
Friday, May 30
Georgia Baseball - NCAA Regional vs Binghamton - Postgame Press Conference
Friday, May 30