I’ve had several players commit to colleges in the last few weeks.  All of these players deserve credit in their accomplishments.  It’s a small percentage of players that ever get to play baseball beyond high school.  However, there were a few players that I wanted to take the time out to share their stories.
Nick Solak, Naperville North, is one of the first Juniors in the state of Illinois to commit early to a Division 1 school when he verbaled to the University of Louisville last week.  Nick was one of my first students that I began teaching when I moved to Chicago 8 years ago.  It’s been fun to see him grow up personally and athletically.  Nick is one of those special players whose passion, dedication and work ethic define the way a “baseball player” is suppose to be.  The way he “gets after it” in practice and on the field really reminded me of former player and current MLB shortstop, Clint Barmes.  Nick doesn’t have a big league body or extreme tools right now, but simply plays the game the way it is suppose to be played – like every inning could be your last.  I know, it’s a corny cliche’, but recruiters and scouts say they truly have a hard time finding people that play like that anymore.  This is why Nick stood out all summer and fall on the recruiting circuit.  He immediately becomes identifiable after you watch him a few innings.  Then, when you add the way he performed against the top talent in the country, it was no wonder he was receiving interest from D1’s from all over the country.  Nick may never be a high draft, but he’ll play pro ball one day, and he’ll stick around the game for a long time because when a coach has him play for him, he’ll never want to let him go.  Keep it up Nick!
On a different end of the spectrum, Charlie McGinnis, a senior at Wheaton North HS, got cut from his high school baseball team the last two years.  Charlie is 6’4″ and can hit, but he was caught playing behind another one of my students, Jeff Schalk, who was drafted last year.  Charlie is the epitome of perseverance.  Without being pushed, Charlie continued to work towards playing summer ball and refining his game.  Charlie, because of his height and body type, had a hard time “controlling his body” in lessons with me.  It made him inconsistent, and he had a hard time keeping the “feel” of his swing.  Then last year, I saw all of that change.  He physically matured, became more consistent, and started to see results.  I can tell this fed Charlie’s enthusiasm and confidence, and made him realize he can play the game, if he chooses to.  After a successful campaign with his Team Illinois travel team run by Tom Seibert, Tom and I began reaching out to schools in Charlie’s behalf.  I billed Charlie as a late blooming 6’4″ hitter whose best days were ahead of him.  His dad emailed me yesterday saying that Charlie had been offered a 60% scholarship to the University of South Carolina-Beaufort.  I’ve had countless players go into Division 1 and pro baseball, but honestly, I don’t know if it tops this.  You work hard, you get better…when you get knocked down, you get back up – then, good things will eventually happen.  What a story.