From his days in T-ball when he ran after every ball that was hit regardless of whether it was near him or not, Tony Wolters has been a baseball player.

From those humble beginnings at age 5, he has blossomed into one of San Diego County's best players at Rancho Buena Vista High.

Starting from his freshman year, he demonstrated an ability to hit the ball with authority. He batted .459 as a sophomore and boosted his power numbers from two homers and 17 RBIs in 2008 to six homers and 27 RBIs last year as a junior when he managed to bat .377 despite increased attention from pitchers.

With a .415 career batting average, Wolters takes one more shot at contending for a CIF San Diego Section championship this season.

Question: Was there ever a time you weren't a baseball player?

Answer: I took up T-ball at age 5, but I'd already started doing roller hockey.

Q: How long was roller hockey in the picture?

A: I gave it up at age 10 when I realized baseball was something I wanted to pursue.

Q: What kind of roller hockey player were you?

A: I hit everyone. I was kind of a ball hog, too. I shot the puck all the time. I was kind of a weird little kid.

Q: Were you the same kind of player in baseball?

A: I played third base and as soon as the ball was hit I'd run after it, even if it was in right field. I've seen some video of me playing like that and I was a psycho.

Q: How did you break that habit of running after every ball that was hit?

A: One year my dad (Kelly) told me to stay in one spot, that I had to let the other guys on the team play, too. It still took me a while to understand my position was my position and the other guys' positions were their positions.

Q: Why did you commit to USD after your freshman year instead of waiting for other offers?

A: I had a top 10, and one of them was USD where my sister, Alli, graduated from. But on a visit there I loved the campus and the dorms are just beyond the outfield fence of the baseball field.

Q: Was the proximity of the dorms to John Cunningham Stadium a factor in your decision?

A: The day I saw that I made my decision. I could actually live on the baseball field. I was about 10 then.

Q: And you haven't wavered at all with the early commitment to the Toreros?

A: No. It's a quality program, I'd be five minutes from the beach, five minutes from the city, my family can watch me play more baseball games, my grandparents won't miss games either and the smaller school thing really intrigued me. It all just fit for me at USD.

Q: Last summer you were invited to play in the AFLAC game at Petco Park; how was it playing with the best high school players in the nation?

A: I was in a major-league locker room, playing on a major-league field. I was in my dream world. The game started at 6 (p.m.). I got there at noon and didn't leave until after midnight. I hated to leave, but it was really dark out when they finally got me to go.

Q: Was it an enjoyable day?

A: Are you kidding? Thinking about it now just gives me those goosebumps again.

Q: Has it hit you that you are considered one of the country's best players?

A: A friend of mine took a trip to visit the University of Maryland and he texted me that the baseball players there were talking about me. That's crazy to think players like that are talking about me the way I'm talking about them. Only a few years ago I was playing Little League and now I know all of the best players in the country.

Q: Weren't there other events associated with the AFLAC game?

A: We visited Children's Hospital and I don't know about anyone else, but I learned a lesson about life. Don't take anything for granted.

Q: Didn't you play for a USA 18 team as well?

A: I played in the World Tournament in Canada and wearing USA on your chest is a really big deal. That jersey is heavy because you're playing for everyone. I also played in a tournament in Venezuela. You think I'm serious, baseball is all those people have.

Tony Wolters

School: Rancho Buena Vista

Sport: Baseball

Born: June 9, 1992 in San Diego

Year: Senior

Height: 5-foot-10

Accomplishments: First-team All-Avocado League as a sophomore in 2008; First-team All-Palomar League, second-team All-CIF and second-team all-state as a junior in '09.

Quick hits

Who would you put in your Fave 5? Mother (Debbie), father (Kelly), Jose Reyes, Michael Phelps, Megan Fox

Favorite pizza: Sausage, pepperoni and garlic

If you could have a last meal, what would it be? Dad's pork chops, mashed potatoes and mushrooms

Favorite restaurant: Nucci's

Person you'd most like to meet: Derek Jeter

Career ambition: Major-league baseball player

Padres game or Chargers game? Padres

Favorite class: History

Last movie you saw: "Dear John"

Your ideal car or truck: Porsche Carrera

What TV show do you hate to miss? "24"

Favorite reality TV show: "Jersey Shore"

Favorite cartoon as a youngster: "The Jetsons"

Biggest pet peeve: People who don't cut their fingernails

Biggest fear: Scary movies

Superstition: Must step into the batter's box with right foot first