NIAGARA FALLS — As an outfielder for the Niagara Power, Daniel Hall has a firm handle on the field, and he plans to continue with his assertive attitude after his baseball playing days are over.

The native of San Jose, Calif., joined the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s Niagara Falls team this year. Going into his junior year, Hall will be majoring in criminal justice at Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University.

“I want to be a police officer,” Hall said. “My brother-in-law is a police officer and it’s kind of always been what I’ve wanted to do and now it’s actually possible to happen.”

In 2006, while Hall was in his junior year of high school, he was featured in a Cal-HT Sports Play of the Week, was given the title of West Catholic Athletic League All-League Outfielder and was given the honor again the following year. Hall was also named All-Coast Conference and Scholar Athlete in 2008 while he played at De Anza College.

Hall first started playing baseball when he was 4 and he says his dad was the first one who inspired him to play the game.

“My dad played college baseball, so I’ve just always grown up as a baseball guy,” Hall said. “It’s my first true love.”

Hall said he would jump at the opportunity to play for a major league team.

“I got two more years of college and hopefully I can develop enough to be a pro ball player someday,” said Hall. “You never know.”

Hall has not always played in the outfield. Prior to this, he played shortstop, second base and catcher. It was not until his sophomore year that he was placed in the outfield and ever since then he’s loved it.

“It’s the best because you get to be out there kind of on your own island, in your own little world for a little while” Hall said. “My favorite thing in the world to do is to throw somebody out.”

Hall has family residing all around the country that have traveled from far and wide to come see him play.

“I have family in Pittsburgh, Akron, Ohio, and Minnesota, so everybody is close, but not real close.” said Hall. “They’ve come out to visit and to see a few games, which is cool.”

In his spare time, Hall said he enjoys playing golf, but hasn’t gotten to play recently since baseball practice has been his No. 1 priority. However, when the team does get down time they do enjoy bowling.

“I go bowling quite a bit with some of these guys,” Hall said. “My average is probably somewhere around a 170. The pro bowler on the team is Tyler Shore, so I’m still trying to beat him.”

“We are very competitive at bowling,” replied Shore, one of the Power pitchers. “He likes to talk a lot of smack and I like to talk some back.”

Shore and Hall formed a close bond while on the Power together.

“Danny’s a fun guy,” Shore said. “He’s a good guy to have on the team. We sat on the bus together one day and it’s been love ever since then. He’s just fun to be around, he works really hard on the field and then off the field we always have a good time.”

This has been Hall’s first time in New York while he’s played with the Power and he says he has learned a lot from being out here on his own.

“It’s been great,” said Hall. “I love it. I’ve learned a lot about myself being around guys from all over the country. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve become really close to these guys too.”

•••

Sam Moore got the win on the mound, allowing five hits in seven innings, an the Niagara Power produced runs in six different innings to win 8-2 at Geneva on Tuesday and improve to 11-23 in the New York Collegiate Baseball League.

Sam field went 3 for 4 with an RBI, Marshall McDonald was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, Derek Glenn was 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Kevin Liddle had a hit and an RBI.