Prep Baseball Report

Q and A with 2012 Lake Erie Commit Tyler McFarland



Tyler McFarland, a utility man from Olentangy Lewis Center, committed to Lake Erie earlier this week. McFarland, who is a versatile athlete, provides one of the more outgoing and comical interviews thus far in the 2012 recruiting season.

PBR: Why did you choose Lake Erie?
McFarland: Lake Erie was the perfect fit, right by the lake where I can hunt and fish and I absolutely love the coaching staff and the team as a whole


PBR: What other schools were you considering?
McFarland: John Carroll, Wright State, Tiffin and a few others I visited


PBR: Where did Lake Erie first see you? How did your relationship develop with Coach McGee and the coaching staff?
McFarland: Sometime in the summer at a tournament. Coach McGee and I met for the first time when I walked up to him and he said he’s not allowed to talk to me, hit it off ever since haha


PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
McFarland: To come in and work hard and develop as a player and a team mate


PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Lake Erie?
McFarland: My biggest strength would be my knowledge of the game and my versatility as a player. This will help Lake Erie because I feel confident no matter where they out me on the field


PBR: What sort of sacrifices did you have to make to play a travel intensive schedule during the summer?? What sort of advice would you pass on to players looking to make the same decision?
McFarland: I had to sacrifice time with friends, time hunting and fishing, working and going to church. My advice is that if you want to play at the next level bad enough nothing will stop you and all of these sacrifices will pay off in the end.


PBR: What was the most memorable experience from this summer?
McFarland: When I was on second base and my best bud Aaron Huesman hit a 5,294 ft home run and Valparaiso


PBR: What are your expectations for next spring with your high school team? What is your role as a senior?
McFarland:  My expectations are to win our league and help my team grow as a whole and advance further into post season tournament. My role as a senior is to be a leader and help develop our younger players


PBR: What is like playing with Woody Wallace (Cincinnati recruit)?
McFarland: Woody Wallace is one of my best friends and I have played with him ever since I can remember and he helped make my years of baseball even better. I love him.


PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
McFarland: My parents and coaches, they all have pushed me to never settle at average, and that you can always get better


PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Olentangy Lewis Center?
McFarland: BA: 323 OBP: 402 SLG: 441 Defense FPCT: .927


PBR: You are known to be an avid hunter. Explain your love hunting.
McFarland:  Hunting is a man’s sport and I love it. Plus I love spending time in the woods or on the lake where it gives me time to think and just get away from everything


PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?
McFarland: Micheal Steensen because I think he throws every pitch plus a couple that don’t exist he probably just made up.