Family upbringing leads Century's Mike Ruff to Winona State baseball

ROCHESTER Growing up with a sports reporter as a father, Mike Ruff and his three older siblings were surrounded by just about every type of ball from the time they were in diapers.

Soccer.

Basketball.

Baseball.

Football.

Century High School.

The Timberwolves.

The Twins.

And of course, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers all were a fixture in the sports loving Ruff household.

Being the youngest, Mike did his best to absorb it all, tagging along with older brothers Joe and John to the park or listening to his father, Pat, gab on the latest happenings of Century athletics.

Mike knew early on how he wanted his future to play out.

ADVERTISEMENT "Everything was sports," the Century senior said.

"Growing up my dad would talk about these teams, and I would always be thinking in my head, I want to play for Century varsity.

When he would talk about it, when I was like, 10-11ish it just seemed like the greatest thing.

Then when I got into travel ball, I kind of just fell in love with sports in general." His first love was basketball.

A smooth lefty who always appeared to be in control on the hardwood had visions of venturing down the path of college basketball.

But as his father likes to put it, Mike wasn't overly fast, pairing that with a leaping ability that certainly didn't draw the eyes of scouts a tough combo to overcome on the basketball court.

Soon, baseball overtook basketball.

To be fair, America's pastime was always a close second.

The days spent playing long toss with his brothers at Quarry Hill are still considered some of the youngest Ruff's favorites.

And he loved pitching.

From a young age, he was typically the one on the mound.

In fact, it was often a given.

"I was always kind of the pitcher," he said.

"I mean, I didn't really have the greatest bat in the world, so the coaches were always like, 'Oh, let's have Mike pitch.'" ADVERTISEMENT That was more than OK for him.

He enjoyed being in charge of the action.

"I just always had a love for pitching," Mike said.

"It was and is my number one thing that I love to do." He was never one to blow people away with an electric fastball, but his ability to consistently throw strikes is what made him every coach's dream.

His composure on the bump too is what made him stand out.

That's where his mother, Mary, comes into the picture.

Known for tolerating sports and athletics, it's mom that stays even-keel in the sports-loving household.

"She's more relaxed," Mike said.

"She's not crazy into sports at all.

That's probably good.

If she was crazy in the sports, we might have a little problem." But it's her calm and settling demeanor that Mike brings with him every time he toes the rubber.

ADVERTISEMENT "Just staying calm in general," Mike said.

"That's huge on the mound, staying calm.

She's a really calm person, a peaceful mindset, kind of person.

She helps me stay calm out there." As he continued to grow, Mike implemented a change-up his bread-and-butter a slider and a curveball to go with a fastball that seemed to live on the corners.

It wasn't long until he found himself logging innings for Century varsity as a sophomore.

He put himself on the map later that season when he tossed a no-hitter against John Marshall to help the Panthers stave off elimination in the Section 1, Class 3A tournament.

That's when the light bulb flicked on.

"That's when I realized I could do this in college," he admitted.

College programs agreed.

Impressed with his full arsenal of pitches and demeanor on the mound, Winona State University was one of the first he heard from.

With his brother Joe being a recent graduate of WSU, Mike was familiar with what the school, itself, had to offer.

The opportunity to play baseball as well, was icing on the cake.

ADVERTISEMENT When he received the official offer, he jumped on it.

"I always kind of wanted to go to Winona State," he said.

"They contacted me first and were wonderful.

...

I wanted to go somewhere that I could enjoy four years of playing baseball but also being a college kid as well." The Warriors believe they can get his fastball up to the mid-80's consistently by the end of his first collegiate season.

Paired with above average off-speed, great location and a mature approach on the mound, the Warriors believe he could be a fixture in their pitching staff for years to come.

"I'm excited to get over there next year," he said.

So is the family, who will now add Winona State to their list of favorite teams and topics for around the dinner table.

"Excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at Winona State University! Grateful for the opportunity to play D2 baseball.

Go Warriors! #Committed #WinonaState pic.twitter.com/U3XNXJeyrI.

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