The Life of the Ballplayer

My name is Zaki Haj, and my journey on the mound has taken me farther than I ever imagined. Growing up, pitching wasn’t just something I did—it became a part of who I was. Representing the Palestinian National Team was one of the greatest honors of my life. Wearing that jersey, feeling the weight of history and pride behind every pitch, taught me what it means to compete with purpose. It pushed me to grow not just as a pitcher, but as a person.

Young baseball pitcher in uniform is mid-throw on a baseball field, wearing a black cap and shirt, white pants, and holding a baseball and glove.

Now, I’m continuing my journey at Dominican University, where every day is another step toward the pitcher I know I can be. College ball is fast, demanding, and unforgiving, but it’s exactly where I want to be. The competition fuels me, the environment sharpens me, and the belief in what I can become drives me. My biggest obstacle lately has been staying healthy. Injuries test you in ways the game itself never does—they challenge your patience, your mindset, and your confidence. There are days when progress feels slow, and the road back seems long. But I’ve learned to channel that frustration into discipline. Every rehab session, every drill, every careful throw is a reminder of how much I love this game. I’m committed to rebuilding myself stronger and smarter. I study my mechanics, listen to my body, and trust the process that’s getting me back on track. Being sidelined has only strengthened my appreciation for the mound and my hunger to return to it. My goal is simple: to pitch at the highest level I’m capable of, to honor the teams that shaped me, and to represent where I come from with pride. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s mine—and I’m nowhere near done.