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Bailey Montoya, C, Moeller HS, Class of 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Dayton?

Montoya: First of all let me say Dayton chose me.  I am honored to be part of this program.  A year ago Dayton was not even on my radar.  After summer ball Coach Talirico called and ask me to visit.  I have lived near Dayton all of my life and was surprised at the Campus and the feel of the Marianist Tradition.  It reminds me a lot of Moeller.  After my little brother Levi died this summer I told my parents that I would hope to find a school close to home that I could still play baseball.  After Dayton made the offer I did visit some other schools.  I wanted to see if I got the same feeling that I got when I was at Dayton.  Coach V and I hit it off right away talking about bow hunting and just life in general.  He assured my parents of a quality education and the opportunity to compete at a Division 1 Baseball program.  The coaching staff was looking for a catcher and not a power hitter that could catch.  With all that I have dealt with in the past 6 months Dayton just feels right.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Montoya: Starting my junior year I was sure that I would be going to Miami of Ohio.  I visited twice and had great report with Coach Ison and Coach Davis.  I'd like to thank them for their honesty and support.  After they went in a different direction I was kind of lost.  Being at Moeller there are always scouts around and I was not getting much attention.  The last game I played in summer ball, Indiana and about ten other schools where recruiting Adam Wolf.  Just so happened I had a double, walked, threw out a boy, and his curve ball was wicked and not one got by me.  Indiana had made me an offer that week and asked me to come to their camp.  I was born in New Mexico and NMSU had always been a dream.  With Coach Green taking over and knowing the Midwest I thought it might work.  We emailed back and forth but never really got anything off the ground.   I also visited Lake Erie.  The Coaches where awesome, I just could not get the feeling that I had at Dayton out of my mind.  My dad finally said if that’s what your heart says stop messing around and commit.

PBR: Where did the Dayton coaches first see you?

Montoya: I think I was 11 or 12.  Like all kids that live in Dayton and love baseball you attend one of Coach V's camps.  I’m sure that’s not when they started recruiting me.  Coach Talirico did say he saw me play in the State Semi Finals.  Probably one of the toughest days of my life.  My brother Levi died the day before and we played Massillon-Jackson the best team in the state.  I'm pretty sure they did not put me on their radar then.  I did have a good summer batting with the Ohio Elite- Noe.  I think that helped.  After the Unsigned Senior Games is when they first contacted me.  Not sure when they started recruiting me.  It seems like it was just meant to be.

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer and what is your most memorable moment?

Montoya: I played for Ohio Elite- Noe.  The whole season was memorable.  When I was 13 and 14 I was playing with Costum X Heat (Old Dayton Heat).  We were in the top 10 by USSSA most of the season.  After a season the team broke up and most of them went over to Ohio Elite.  I tried playing close to home but just was missing the team atmosphere I had with those guys.  It was good to get back with them.  I was also use to the hype that comes with big time pitchers and not many were as scouted as Adam Wolf was last summer.  It is normal at Moeller to see 10-15 scouts in the stands.  Every time Wolf pitched it was like that. I like to thank the Baseball families of Christain Steele, Jared Murphy, Mitchell Snyder, Zach Sontoro, and Michael Warden, for being there for me this summer.

PBR: How does it feel to be a part of such a tradition like Moeller baseball?

Montoya: To be a Man of Moeller is to understand that you are only as good as the guy riding the bench.  Most teams have adopted the cliché trust the process.  At Moeller we Live the Process.  I mentioned that I lost my brother the day before the State Semifinal game.  My Moeller Brother's stood behind me playing in that game.  We did not lose because Levi lost his life, Massillon-Jackson was just better than us on that day.  At Moeller we pulled up our boot straps up and started getting ready for 2015.  You see Moeller is not about recruiting, or having the best athletes it is about working hard for each other.  God has blessed me with talent to play this game, Moeller has given be the Brothers to be good at it.  That is what Moeller Tradition is.

PBR:  What team do you play for in the summer?

Montoya: The last 4 summers have been a roller coaster for me and summer Baseball. Going into my freshman year I played with Costum X Heat. My sophomore year I played 17U CBC with Cary Daniels. Last summer with Ohio Elite-Noe.  This next summer I have decided to play with Midland-Braves.  I was born in New Mexico and have a lot of family there. I have always had a dream to play in Farmington.  I was also encouraged by the two of the three best pitchers that I have ever caught. My Moeller Brother's Grant Micciocchi and Nick Bennett.  I know that the Redskins have already got the two guys they want at catcher, but the one thing I have learned is work hard and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring.  Just happy I am getting a chance to be part of the Midland program.  It will be a piece of the puzzle that will make me successful at the University of Dayton.

PBR: How does It feel to be a part of a Division 1 program?

Montoya: Playing at the level that I have played at the last 8 years, it has never been a question that I would be in a Division 1 program for me.  If you ask some scouts they probably would tell you I don't hit well enough.  The one thing I have never seen on a scouting report, is that kid is a gamer.  I have realized the last couple of years I would not play in a big time BCS conference.  I have truly been looking for what they call a mid-major.  I am so excited that UD is that school.  Next time you’re in your office ask your boss where he graduated college from. Most of them would say a Midwest school like Dayton.  If I am fortunate enough to someday make baseball a career I will be proud to say I played at the University of Dayton.

PBR: What were your stats this spring season?

Montoya: This past summer I batted .317, and I'm pretty sure I am above .300 this fall.  I don't know how many guys have stolen on me but I'm sure you could only count them on one hand.

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

Montoya: WOW! Seriously, that is a tough question.  The reason is that, I have caught what I consider the best 4 pitchers in the State of Ohio.  The only time I have faced them is in the batting cage.  I have already mentioned Macciocchi and Bennet.  Joe Vranesic has to be on that list, when he is zoned in he is tough to hit.  I guess I am going to have to say Kentucky recruit Zack Logue.  His approach on the mound is the most consistent that I have ever seen.  His pitching mechanics do not change, no matter what pitch he is throwing.  I noticed this the most last year in the State Semi Finals.  Massillon-Jackson was hitting him and had gotten up on us.  Even with that he did not get rattled. Just came out and dealt.  As a catcher and hitter I would say I have not seen to many balls that move like his fast ball!

I have mentioned that I lost my brother Levi Montoya a couple of times in this interview.  I would like to take a moment and say thank you to those that have been there for me the past 5 months. First off my coaches Tim Held, Andy Nagel, Tony Maccani, Mike Maundrell, Mike Cameron, Ron Roth, Ken Robison and the whole staff at Moeller. Thank you to Ohio Elite Ray Noe and staff, and Chris Valentine.  I also want to thank all my teammates and all those that we played against.  Baseball at this level is very competitive and somehow during tragedy we all seem to realize what is important.  I miss Levi with all my heart and my baseball family has been supportive.  Thank You.