George Washington University Athletics
'A True Ballplayer'
5/10/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By Eric Detweiler,, GW Athletics Communications
With a comfortable lead suddenly in jeopardy in the ninth inning at William & Mary on April 4, GW baseball head coach Gregg Ritchie locked eyes with his shortstop and offered a thumbs up.
None of that mattered with the game on the line. Ritchie asked his wordless question, and Metz swiftly offered his answer with a thumbs up of his own.
Twelve pitches later, the game was over. After moving to the mound, Metz turned a ground ball back to himself into a double play before inducing a flyout to close out a 9-5 victory.
"He is a true ballplayer," Ritchie said. "When you put him between those white lines and say `Let's go', he's got a feel, he's got a look, he wants to achieve, he doesn't waver. ... For me, that's the biggest compliment you could ever get."
For the past four years, Metz has been a trusted model for what Ritchie wants his program to be about, always willing to do whatever GW needs from him.
Metz was the first recruit to visit Ritchie's office upon his hiring in 2012. As a Colonial, the native of nearby Poolesville, Md., has played every day -- 210 games and counting (T-8th all-time), entering his final home A-10 series this weekend -- with the type of energy, consistency and versatility that the veteran coach prizes. The past two summers he has put that total package on display in the prestigious Cape Cod League and shown he belongs alongside some of the nation's top prospects.
Off the field, Metz has put in the time to work his way on to the GW Athletics Academic Dean's List. Next week, he's set to graduate with a Criminal Justice degree, becoming the first member of his family with a college degree.
"It's definitely been a great four years," said Metz, who ranks eighth all-time in hits and fifth in steals in program history. "I wouldn't have changed anything, for sure."
Every step of the way, Metz has delivered on the promise the GW staff saw in him out of Poolesville High School. During his recruitment, Ritchie and assistant Dave Lorber made him a priority, detailing their plan to maximize that potential.
It was the right pitch for Metz, who wanted to stay close to home, appreciated GW's strong academics and believed in the benefits of Ritchie's experience teaching in pro ball.
"Robbie wasn't a mystery out in the world of recruiting," Lorber said. "Robbie was a really good player that had options, but he believed in what was going on here."
It's been a perfect match. Metz has been an infield starter and occasional pitching option since his freshman season when he made the A-10 All-Rookie Team and was named Male Rookie of the Year for the entire athletic department.
Metz missed a game during his debut season because of a sore knee and sat out another midweek contest to rest his arm after a Sunday start, but he's played in every game over the past three seasons.
"I love going out there every day and playing," Metz said. "If I get an off-day, it is what it is, but I love going out there and competing. I love being with the guys. It's fun. That's what I came here for."
That workmanlike attitude has made a difference for everybody in the dugout, Ritchie said. Although soft-spoken, Metz pushes the group with his daily example.
"When he wants the team to do better, he goes out and picks his game up," Ritchie said. "You'll see that energy and passion right there on his sleeve."
To Ritchie, what sets Metz apart is the ability to make the extraordinary look ordinary, whether it's in his approach at the plate or his smooth play in the field.
Lorber, who directs the infielders, talks about Metz's body control and innate sense of timing on the diamond. He's got quick hands and feet that are particularly useful turning double plays, whether he's at second base or shortstop.
Metz has played every position but catcher between GW and his summer ball club, and Ritchie said he'd be confident using him behind the plate, if necessary.
"He's got a couple of plus items in his game," Ritchie said. "And everything else he does better than average."
Take the recent win at Towson, Ritchie said. Metz got a 3-0 green light and drove one off the wall for a two-run double. His next time up he fell behind in the count and smacked a two-strike pitch the other way for an RBI double.
"That's special," Ritchie said.
For Metz, those moments have come from four years' worth of trial and error. He appreciates that the staff has always supported him, offering confidence in his abilities and assurance of his spot in the lineup even when he's scuffling.
These days, Ritchie can get his point across with just a few words -- or even just a look.
"Scoreboard" means he's pulling off and needs to shoot for the scoreboard beyond the fence in right center. "Backside" tells him he's falling on his front foot and needs to get back in balance. And so many more.
"Being able to learn from him is one of the biggest things that's really helped me," Metz said. "Just those little cues when I hit, they're going to stay with me my whole career to the end."
Metz's summer experience has given him the opportunity to showcase those skills in front of a slew of pro scouts. He joined the Wareham Gateman on a two-week contract after his sophomore year and ended up an All-Star.
Last year, Metz went back to the Cape and had a key role on another star-studded club, displaying his adaptability by playing both infield and outfield.
"I just wanted to make an impact and get on (the scouts') radar, at least," Metz said. "I never really had pressure. I just tried to have fun with it."
That confidence has carried over to GW, where Metz has followed up a Second Team All-Conference junior season with a solid senior spring. He's hitting .312 and already set career highs for extra-base hits (18) and steals (23). It's helped the Colonials move into position for a top-four seed for the A-10 Championship, which comes to Tucker Field at Barcroft Park later this month.
Added all up, Metz has crafted a tremendous collegiate career close to home and earned a great education, following the plan he's wanted all along.
Once he's finished playing, Metz hopes to use his degree to get a job as an officer with the Department of Natural Resources, much to the delight of his parents, Doug and Jamie, who estimate they've been to 90 percent of his games, home and away, in Buff and Blue.
"Everything's worked out great," Doug Metz said. "It's just been a huge blessing for us as a family."
Ritchie can say the same about a guy who's been a program cornerstone as the coach has rebuilt his alma mater into an A-10 contender. Not everybody earns Ritchie's "True Ballplayer" stamp.
"Robbie's helped re-establish this program to a winning mentality with everything he's done, on and off the field," Ritchie said. "It's been a real joy to coach him and help him develop, as a player and as a person. Because of all he's done here and the way he's handled himself, I know he'll always be a part of this family."
