Baron Batch
{{Short description|American football player (born 1987)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Baron Batch
| image = Potts handoff to batch2 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Batch with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2010
| number = 35, 20
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|12|21}}
| birth_place = Odessa, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 210
| high_school = Midland (TX)
| college = Texas Tech
| draftyear = 2011
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 232
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2011}}−{{NFL Year|2012}})
| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts
| statvalue1 = 25
| statlabel2 = Rushing yards
| statvalue2 = 49
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 4
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 31
| pfr = BatcBa00
}}
Baron Vaun Batch (born December 21, 1987), self-styled "the Artist",{{cite web |url=http://www.redbulletin.com/us/us/culture/why-football-star-baron-batch-would-rather-be-painting |title=GAME CHANGER|date=November 25, 2013 |website=Steelers.com |accessdate=August 13, 2015}} is an American Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur and former professional football running back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas Tech University.
Early life
Batch is from Midland, Texas. He is the brother of Brian Batch of the band Alpha Rev.
College career
Batch chose to play college football at Texas Tech University over offers from Northwestern University, Duke University, and New Mexico State University.
Batch finished his collegiate career at Tech as the school's eighth-ranked all-time leader in rushing with 2,501 yards. During his senior season at Texas Tech, Batch led the team in rushing with 816 yards on 177 carries, an average of 4.20 yards per carry. He also caught 32 passes for 226 yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/batch_baron00.html |title=TEXASTECH.COM Baron Batch Bio - Texas Tech University Official Athletic Site |work=texastech.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124406/http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/batch_baron00.html |archivedate=2012-01-11 }} In 2009, as a junior, he rushed 146 times for 784 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 51 receptions for 310 yards and 1 touchdown. In the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State following his junior year he had 99 yards on 22 rushes for 2 touchdowns and 6 receptions for 85 yards.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14065/baron-batch|title=Baron Batch|work=ESPN.com}} As a sophomore Batch rushed 113 times for 758 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also caught 45 passes for 449 yards and a touchdown.
Professional career
Batch was selected in the seventh round, 232nd overall, of the 2011 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2019-02-26}} He was figured to be in competition to replace Mewelde Moore as the third-down back, given his receiving and blocking experience in Mike Leach's Air Raid offense at Texas Tech. However, Batch tore his ACL during a training camp practice on August 11, 2011 and was out for the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/8/11/2356807/baron-batch-acl-injury-steelers-training-camp|title=Sickening, Sad News From Latrobe: Baron Batch Out For Year With Torn ACL|author=Michael Bean|work=Behind the Steel Curtain|date=11 August 2011}} He was officially placed on injured reserve on August 28.
On Thursday October 11, 2012 Baron ran for 22 yards on 10 attempts against the Tennessee Titans. This was his first game with more than 5 rushing attempts in the NFL. He was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 20, 2012 in order to make a necessary roster move, but picked back up to be on the practice squad the next day, November 21, 2012. A week later, he was re-signed to the 53-man roster.
On August 25, 2013, he was cut by the Steelers and retired from professional football.
The Artist
Batch is an artist based out of Pittsburgh, PA where he is creative director of the event space, art gallery and creative agency, Studio AM,{{Cite web |title=Under Construction |url=https://www.studio-am.com/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.studio-am.com}} where he and other creatives collaborate.{{cite web |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Make-Roster-Moves-Trim-Roster-to-75/c0eded43-be8e-4999-aa45-ec3b5f48e11e |title=Steelers Make Roster Moves; Trim Roster to 75 |date=August 25, 2013 |website=Steelers.com |accessdate=August 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826231544/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Make-Roster-Moves-Trim-Roster-to-75/c0eded43-be8e-4999-aa45-ec3b5f48e11e |archive-date=August 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Batch self-describes his art as POP-X genre of art, a mix of Pop Art and Expressionism reminiscent of street-art styles developed in the 70's and 80's.{{cite web|url=http://www.pop-x.com|title=POP-X by Baron Batch|work=POP-X}} He is formerly the owner and creator of Angry Man Salsa, a high-end dipping salsa available online{{cite web|url=http://www.angrymansalsa.com|title=Angry Man Salsa|work=angrymansalsa.com}} in limited editions. Batch admitted to painting graffiti along the bike trail from Hot Metal Bridge to Sandcastle.{{cite web |title=campaign archive |url=http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8c056e829392bb5c44ed545ab&id=9423240650&e=[UNIQID]#awesomeshare}}
Batch was described as a "Creative Force" in Whirl magazine, and has labeled himself "The Artist". His artwork is a major staple of the Pittsburgh Yoga scene.{{cite news|title=Baron Batch|work=Whirl Magazine|url=http://whirlmagazine.com/baron-batch-pittsburgh/|access-date=2024-05-14|archive-date=2015-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714230523/http://whirlmagazine.com/baron-batch-pittsburgh/|url-status=bot: unknown}}
In April 2013, Baron Batch was chosen as the featured artist at the 35th annual Lubbock Arts Festival. His work was displayed over three days at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center from April 12–14.{{cite web |url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/entertainment/2013-02-19/professional-football-player-batch-featured-artist-arts-festival|title=Baron Batch at the Lubbock Arts Festival}}
An arrest warrant was issued by the Pittsburgh Police for 30 counts of criminal mischief involving graffiti.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/artist-baron-batch-retired-steelers-running-back-faces-graffiti-charges-n600071|title=Artist Baron Batch, Ex-Steelers Running Back, Faces Graffiti Charges|website=NBC News|date=28 June 2016 }} In May 2017, he was given an 18-month suspended sentence and community service.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/05/12/Baron-Batch-Steeler-probation-graffiti/stories/201705120220|access-date=2017-05-15|date=2017-05-12|title=Former Steeler to serve probation in connection to graffiti spree|work=The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124406/http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/batch_baron00.html Texas Tech bio]
- {{commonscatinline}}
{{Steelers2011DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batch, Baron}}
Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Players of American football from Odessa, Texas