Walking into the Simon residence, visitors could feel overwhelmed seeing all of the karate trophies earned by the family’s eldest son, Jordan.
By the age of 11, Simon was already the traditional weapons world champion for his age group. He went on to win more world championships practicing Tang Soo Do than he can count with the fingers on his right hand.
Simon’s karate awards are now rapidly being pushed aside, however, to make room for his baseball trophies. This spring he earned first-team All-Tri-Valley League and All-Ventura County honors after batting .474 with 45 hits and 28 runs. Simon, the Most Valuable Player of the Malibu High varsity team, used his speed to record five doubles, three triples, and 18 stolen bases, the second most in the Tri-Valley League.
“Jordan should serve as an example that when you passionately dedicate yourself to something, it will work out for you,” said Malibu High baseball coach Ari Jacobs. “Many kids are spread so thin these days that they never really develop into all they can be at something. I applaud Jordan for having the courage to leave competition karate at such at high level. Three years later Jordan is moving on to Division 1 college baseball, so I would say he made the right choice and I am sure that he has no regrets about it.”
Simon, a senior, plans to enroll and play baseball at the University of Nevada, Reno.
“Reno is one of the best up-and-coming baseball programs in the country,” Jacobs said. “If Jordan can maintain the same kind of gritty, hard-nosed passionate play he had for us, I see good things happening for him.”
You accomplished so much practicing karate. What influenced your decision to focus on baseball?
“I have always loved baseball and my goal has always been to move up to the next level. By the time I was a junior, I knew I had to make a choice if I was going to have a chance to play in college. I had been competing in karate for eight years and it was a great run.”
Do you miss practicing karate?
“I actually still train, although not nearly as much as I did when I was competing.”
You recorded impressive stats this past season. What will you remember most from your time playing baseball at Malibu High School?
“The thing I will remember most is my five other senior teammates who I have been playing with since little league. I am really going to miss those guys. It was also special to be able to play with my little brother, Noah, who pitched on the team the last two seasons. It was great to be on the same field with him. Maybe someday we will be able to do it again.”
How did practicing karate help you as a baseball player?
“Karate creates really great concentration and hand-eye coordination, which is very important in baseball. It also taught me that in order to compete at a high level in anything, you have to be dedicated and work harder than anyone else.”
Why did you decide to attend the University of Nevada?
“They have a great Division 1 baseball program. The coaches are fantastic and the facilities are great. Once I visited the campus, met some of the other players, and spoke with the academic advisors, I knew that was where I was going to go.”
How would you describe yourself as a baseball player, and what skills do you need to improve going forward?
“I am what is known as a ‘grinder’ in baseball. My job on offense is not to be a home run hitter, but to get on base any way that I can, whether it is with a single, bunt, or walk and then steal bases and score. On defense, I play second base and my job is to get to every ball that is hit my way. As far as improvement goes, my goal is to always improve all of my skills every day.”