Carter Hanson - UMASS

 

 

PBR: Why did you choose the school you did?

Hanson: I chose UMass for many reasons.  One is because it is located in an area that I would like to be in for school. I am excited to be on the East Coast. It is also a great school, academically and has a strong program for the major that I am interested in. I like the size of the school. Most of all, I created a good relationship with the coaches and am excited to be part of their program.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Hanson: I did have conversations with some other schools, but hands down knew that UMass was the overall best fit for me.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with him?

Hanson: Due to the pandemic, it was not possible for D1 coaches to see me play in person. Exposure was done through video and my PBR profile. My relationship with the coaching staff first developed through Elite Sports Advising. They were able to connect the coaches with me after they expressed interest. I was then able to communicate with them during the spring and summer. 

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?

Hanson: Yes! It is a relief and now I feel that I can focus totally on continued development and playing the game. It is also very reassuring to know I am going to a school and baseball program that is a good fit for me.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?

Hanson: I feel that talking with the coaches really helped me to know that UMass is where I want to be. I could tell from talking to them that their program has a great culture. I am appreciative for the opportunity they gave me.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?

Hanson: This is a big list! I would not be where I am today without all that my parents have done for me. Also, my high school baseball coach, who I have been close with for many years, the coaching and performance staff at MASH, and Jeremy and Justin with Elite Sports Advising have all helped make me the baseball player and person that I am and contributed so much to my goal of playing college baseball.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?

Hanson: I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how it worked at first. I was so grateful to have the support and guidance of Elite Sports Advising. The pandemic definitely made it more difficult. I knew that every play and at bat would mean something in showcasing me as a player. One part of the recruiting process that I enjoyed was when I had conversations with coaches. Knowing they were interested was reassuring and it was fun to talk to them.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?

Hanson: I will be working toward being one of the corner outfielders and becoming a middle of the lineup hitter. My goal is to help make an impact my freshman year and continue to develop as a player.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?

Hanson: During sections of my sophomore high school season, our varsity team played Minnetonka in an elimination game. I came in to pitch in the first inning with 1 out and our team down by 2 runs. Throughout the remainder of the game, I pitched a no-hitter. In the bottom of the 7th inning with the bases loaded, my teammate hit a single to left field to walk off the game and move our team on in the section playoffs.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?

Hanson: At a club tournament in Iowa this past summer, we played the Canes Midwest team. The entire team was loaded with exceptional baseball players. As a whole, their lineup was unstoppable, and they made every play in the field look effortless.