Prep Baseball Report

Q and A with 2014 West Point Commit: Stuart Schley (Orrville HS)



Stuart Schley, 3B, Orrville HS, Class of 2014

PBR: Why did you choose West Point?

Schley: I chose West Point because of the tremendous opportunity it presented, the fact that I would finish college with no financial debt, the rich tradition, and a  great baseball team were enough for me.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Schley: I was considering Seton Hill, Lake Erie, Akron, Harford CC, St. Petersburg CC, and Cornell were the main schools.

PBR: With West Point being a military academy, how will that affect your daily schedule and your focus on athletics?

Schley: I will have a very structured day.  I will be get up before dawn every day and participate in an academic structure that rivals Ivy League schools.  I will also have completed one of the toughest training curriculums, filled with everything from parachuting, firing artillery guns, survival swimming, assault tactics, and more before the academic year even begins. As far as my focus on athletics, baseball will be treated as an escape from the other pressures yet also serious and structured like everything else.

PBR:  You recently attended PBR’s Top Prospect Showcase.  How did that help you in the recruiting process?

Schley: It was critical in my recruiting process.  The TP Games was were the schools that contacted me first saw me.  It really opened doors as far as being recruited.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Schley:  My goals are the same both individually and team wise.  They are to be the best possible teammate and to try and bring more respect and pride to the city of Orrville by winning games and advancing in the state tournament 


PBR: You were highly touted recruit, what made you choose to go to West Point instead of a major baseball program?

Schley:  Many people overlook the athletics side of West Point.  The baseball team is very talented with 10 players signing professional contracts since 2005, and 5 regional appearances since 2000.  Every year they are contenders in not only the Patriot League but the NCAA tournament with last years loss to the University of Virginia.  With many other organizations you play for that school/university.  With West Point it seems like more;  you wear "Army" on your chest and play for not only the country but those who are serving or have served in the U.S military.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Schley: I recently played for the SBA Aces based out of Youngstown.  My most memorable experience this summer was a dog pile on teammate and Marietta freshman Drew Delsignore after he hit a walk off double, in the bottom of the 9th, to beat the Illinois Sparks at Kent State.  It was a game when Kent State commit and fellow teammate John Schreiber threw all 9 innings with 14 K's and 3 hits.

PBR:  What person has the great impact on your baseball career and why?

Schley: The Person with the greatest impact on my career is my Dad.  He has always been there for me and has spent thousand and thousands of hours throwing BP, playing catch, hitting fungos, and just talking baseball.  Other than him, Dave Kajganich for teaching me how to hit, and Joe Gabriel for spending countless hours helping me through the recruiting process.

PBR: What were your stats this spring season at Orrville?

Schley: Honestly, I don't know. Our coach never handed out any stats, and I was too concerned about winning to worry about the numbers. 

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Schley:  Other than any pitcher on Midland's roster the toughest pitcher I have faced would be Stetson University Sophomore Adam Schaly.