The Great Outdoors

By Nate Olson If you can't find Kaleb Jobe behind the plate, chances are he is on a deer stand or at his favorite pond. "I love to hunt and fish," said the Bryant senior star catcher. "I haven't been able to fish as much as I would like with baseball, but I go deer hunting every year. I also like to ride four-wheelers and go to the lake with friends." Mike Jobe, a former standout Bryant football player, started teaching his son to play baseball at age four and introduced him to the outdoors soon after. "I like being outdoors deer hunting," Jobe said. "You can go out there and get on your stand and enjoy nature. It gives you time to think about things in your life. My dad and me also talk a lot about stuff that is going on. He likes to tell me stories." "People always talk about guys being "momma boys", but I've always gone to my dad," Jobe said. "Especially, if it is something to do with sports or outdoors." Mike Jobe was also instrumental in his son's baseball career. He urged him to catch and try other positions. He pitches and plays third base for the Hornets. He also feels comfortable playing the outfield. "I've always had fun playing baseball," Jobe said. "(Mike Jobe) always told me to have fun and that winning is part of the fun. He always pushed me, but he always made (the drills) fun by making a game out of it. He pushes me extremely hard, but he also teaches me and helps me out. If I have trouble in my game, he will help me out and show me what I need to do." The countless hours of work have paid off. Jobe, a three-year starter and all-conference performer, signed a scholarship with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in November. Currently, he's focused on helping Bryant to success under first-year coach Kirk Bock. "I'm looking forward to wining a state championship," he said." I won when I was 7, 11 and 12. I would love to win a high school state title." In the midst of enjoying time on the baseball field and in the woods, Jobe also found time to excel I in the classroom. He sports a 3.5 GPA and notched a 24 on the ACT. He plans to major in nursing or a related medical field. Jobe knows his schedule won't get much easier with the demands of being a collegiate student athlete, but he plans to make time to hunt with his dad.