Change-up is a familiar theme in A.J. Willoughby’s life. A recent Harris County High School graduate, Willoughby has played baseball since the age of four. He has rotated through almost every infield position the sport offers and is used to an occasional change-up in playing positions during the course of a game. As a pitcher, he says his favorite pitch is the change-up and even his name, A.J., is a change-up of his given name, John Allen.
There is one area of Willoughby’s life, however, that is constant, steady and unchanging. The 18-year-old is serious about academics. Upon his graduation in May, Willoughby held a 3.96 grade point average. He even tackled a few AP courses along the way. As a student-athlete, Willoughby knows how to manage his time to fit in both his studies and the commitment high school athletics requires. He admits his parents set the standard pretty high for him, requiring academics to be a priority, but for Willoughby, doing well in the classroom just makes sense.
“My mom and dad always, always said if you don’t make the grades, you can’t play. I love baseball, and I knew a long time ago that I wanted to keep playing as long as I could. You have to have the grades to get to college so I have made it work out,” says Willoughby.
The quiet, easy-going athlete says he found the sport of baseball to fit his personality right from the beginning. He played tee-ball as a youngster and then graduated on to travel ball. Later, Willoughby tried out for the Harris County High School freshmen baseball team as an eighth grader in middle school. All along the way, Willoughby gained experience playing various positions.
In the early years, he saw a lot of time as a catcher and a pitcher. His father was cautious about allowing Willoughby to pitch due to fears the youngster might damage his arm. It was during that stint in his baseball career that Willoughby began practicing his change-up pitch to satisfy his dad’s concerns but also allowing his desire to pitch to be realized. To this day, it is his favorite pitch to throw from the mound.
“My dad didn’t want me to mess up my arm pitching. When I was little I worked on my change-up for so long [that] I guess I am just more comfortable with it. I had rather throw that than anything,” he says.
Somewhere along the way, Willoughby played the corners. He has time at both first and third but actually prefers being a third baseman because that position sees more action. In most recent times, he was utilized as a shortstop. Up until then, Willoughby thought he would always be at third or pitching, but the shortstop position opened up another door in the sport he so loves.
“Playing shortstop, it’s the center of all the action. You have to pay attention to every play and know where everybody is at all times. I didn’t know I would enjoy the spot so much, but it really is a lot of fun,” Willoughby says with a smile.
A lot of baseball players grow up playing more than one position. Usually, those who hang with the sport eventually settle into just one and can probably be a back-up in another. Not so for Willoughby. The 6,’ 175-pound right-hander is just as comfortable catching behind the plate as he is at being out in front of it as a starting pitcher. He can handle third base like he was born to it or move over to stake out the shortstop position. Perhaps being able to see the game from all these vantage points has given Willoughby the edge to develop into a true utility player.
Other than the versatility Willoughby brings to the game, his coach recognizes he has another strength that is important on the field and off: “His consistency. A.J. has been able to continually maintain a high level of performance throughout the season. He is consistent in everything he does, from the classroom, to practice, to games,” says Steve Westmoreland, HCHS Head Baseball Coach.
At the time of this interview, the Harris County Tigers were on the prowl for a region championship. To accomplish that goal and take it all the way to the state tournament would be a dream realized for Willoughby. Another one, to play at the college level, has already been fulfilled. Willoughby will soon put on the uniform of the Chattahoochee Valley Community College Pirates where he will probably be utilized as a third baseman.
Westmoreland has no doubt Willoughby will be an asset to the Pirates’ program and is certain the recent grad will be successful in his 
endeavors.
“A.J. will do well at a lot of things after high school. He has a tremendous work ethic [and] confidence in his abilities and goals for the future. I look for him to continue to excel at CVCC and am excited for what the future holds for him,” says Westmoreland.
Willoughby hopes the next level of play will lead to yet another one, but until then, he is just happy to continue to play the sport he has loved since he was a child. Going off to college often causes a little anxiety, especially when it comes to concerns over being able to handle the rigorous academic schedule while pursuing athletics. In Willoughby’s mind, those issues have already been settled. “Of all the things that I could be worried about, being able to balance grades or academics with baseball is not something I will have a problem with. I know what it takes, and I have been preparing for this opportunity for a long time. I am pretty confident this is going to be good,” he says.
Getting to know A.J.
Family: Parents, Debbie and John; one brother, Brandon
Pets: A dog, Snowball
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite place to eat: Fuji
Ritual before each game: Always wear the same sliding shorts (I wash them, though!)
Favorite team (college or professional): Georgia
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
One thing parents say to him: Always asking if I have homework
Church he attends: The River of Life
Favorite pastime: Fishing, golf
Sport wish he could play: Football
Favorite subject in school: Math
Person(s) he most admires: My parents
Best thing about Harris County High School: All my friends are here. I’ve been with some of them since first grade.
AJ Willoughby
Harris County High School
Hamilton, Georgia
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
Baseball is primary sport for Tiger scholar
