Commitment Q&A: KL Farr

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Farr: To start off, my expectations about the recruiting process were that I would be all on my own and have to force myself to stand out in a crowd of thousands of kids trying to get to the same place. I made the switch over to Coach Ed and Easley Baseball Club the summer between my sophomore and junior year. I could tell the environment with Easley is completely different from anything I’d ever imagined or experienced. From day one, I could tell he cared about me my dreams, and was willing to do whatever it took to get me to the next level. After the first tournament, he and I talked and went over what I would like to have in a college program. I pretty much told him that I would be willing to play anywhere, because I just wanted to play baseball.  Mostly I was looking at colleges where I knew 100% I could develop and become a better player, man, and become more like Christ.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Farr: Distance or location was really not a problem to me in this whole process. My main goal was to do my best, become better, and play college baseball. Wherever I knew I could develop and achieve these goals would be was where I was going.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Farr: The funny thing for most of my baseball career was that I was more of an underground guy. Most of the players and parents would joke that other teams were not ready for me because they had no clue who I was. The recruiting process really started to heat up when I made the switch to Easley Baseball Club. In our first tournament at Lakepoint, we were tied with no outs with runners on first and second. I see Coach Mungle and Coach Ed signal for me to go in from the bullpen. I then went three up and three down. I knew after that game I not only caught Coach Ed’s attention, but also earned his trust. The very next tournament at WWBA, we were warming up when I saw Coach Ed walking down to the dugout. I was very confused as I saw that he was in Memphis earlier that day. I went to him and asked him what’s going on. He told me that he flew in this morning because he had three universities coming to watch me pitch that day. He told me that he was not gonna tell them to come watch me and not show up.  Shortly after the game, he and I talked again and he said they were highly impressed with my performance on the mound. He then told me that I would have an invite to play at the PBR Future Games at Lakepoint.

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Farr: The University of Arkansas stood out to me in many ways. Growing up in Arkansas it is normal to watch every baseball game that was on TV. Over the years I was able to see the collegiate players developed so well in Arkansas, especially the pitchers. When I went on my visit, they showed me a tour of the newly renovated locker room, the new indoor facility that is in right field, and the new bullpen. The motion capture and force plates they have are something seen very rarely in other collegiate baseball stadiums. I talked to some of the players at the University and learned about their relationships with the coaches. They told me that the coaches genuinely do care for their players, and their main goal is to see you succeed and make it to the next level. What stood out though was when one pitcher told me that the coaches not only care for you as a baseball player, but as a human being and student at the University of Arkansas. What stood out to me though most, was my call on August 1 from Coach Hobbs. We went into talk about the University and everything they had to offer. One thing that he mentioned to me that no one else did was the FCA and other Christ-centered opportunities they had at the University.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Farr: After August 1, colleges I had talked with were Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Arkansas State and South Alabama, among others.

PBR: Who is the best player you have ever faced? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Farr: One of the hardest players I played this past year was Carson Rucker from Goodpasture in Tennessee. Carson ended up going fourth round in the most recent MLB draft. I had to face Carson in the state championship game. No matter what,  he was always looking to damage. Carson was also a very unselfish player and was willing to do anything to help the team win.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Farr: From the beginning of my baseball career, I’ve always strived to be a college caliber player, and to be the best player I could be. One of the first times it hit me that I have the potential to be in college caliber player was my freshman year, our high school coach told me if you just gain some more weight, you can easily be a D1 arm. At the time I was 160, probably throwing 84. I came back my sophomore year and had gained 20 pounds. In our first intersquad that season, I hit 90 for the first time.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Farr: To all young and rising baseball players who have dreams of making it to the next level, it’s gonna take a lot of hard work and pressure. There will be ups and downs in the game of baseball. Baseball is a game of failure and failure will happen more than success. You cannot let your emotions get to you and you must overcome the anger and frustration and help it drive you to work harder and become a better player.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Farr: One of my most memorable moments of my baseball career was starting in the state championship game against the #1 ranked Goodpasture who had many D1 commits on their baseball team. I remember getting the phone call the night before in the hotel room from Coach Ray telling me that I would be starting the following day. There were a lot of nerves, but I had to tell myself that it’s the same game I’ve been playing my whole life, just on a different baseball field. The sense of calmness and confidence would help me lead Northpoint Christian to their second state championship. Another memorable moment of my baseball career was stepping on the mound at the PBR future games. Normally when going on the mound, I put my right foot on the rubber, left foot on the rubber, look up, and take a deep breath. This time was different because when I looked up all I saw where a numerous amount of scouts sitting down with their radar guns, watching me pitch.

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Farr: This year many would think would be a down year or a very tough year for Northpoint Christian after losing seven of our nine starters, as they were seniors. I can say that even over the fall we have made great progress and development in the new and upcoming starters and we will be a team you don’t want to mess with.