Nick Hill (baseball)

Hill was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.^[1][2][3][4] As an Army reserve there was still a possibility that Hill could have been sent overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan while he was playing in the Mariners farm system.^[5] He was involved in an Army program that allowed athletes to apply for an early discharge after two years of active duty after they signed their contracts.^[6][7] His active duty requirement expired in the 2009 season.^[8]

Hill graduated from Sullivan East High School in June 2003 where he was a three-time letterwinner and was named region player of the year and all-state selection as a senior. Hill established Tennessee state record by pitching 56 consecutive shutout innings.

In May 2007 Hill graduated from the United States Military Academy where he was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Year three times and earned First-Team All-Patriot League accolades four times.^[9][10] Hill was named to second team All-America squads by the American Baseball Coaches' Association and Collegiate Baseball in 2005. He was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List in 2006 and 2007. Hill was also on the '07 Roger Clemens Award Watch List and the '06 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America First Team. He was selected to '06 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American Second Team and the United States national baseball team in the same year, becoming the first Army player since Steve Reich to play for Team USA. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 47th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, but could not sign due to military obligations. During his time in college he played on the United States national baseball team.^[11][12][9]