Swanson Ready To Make Memories At Fairfield
September 16, 2024
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Swanson Ready To Make Memories At Fairfield
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Boden Swanson C / OF / Kingswood Oxford, CT / 2025Rankings StateRank: 96 / POS: 13
FARMINGTON, Ct. - “Fairfield has always been my number one.” It is now home for Boden Swanson after the Kingswood Oxford High School senior made a commitment to the university located not far from where he lives. “It’s a great place,” the sixth-ranked 2025 catcher in Connecticut said of Fairfield. “All the coaches are great and it’s close to me. That was a major aspect for me. I want to stay close to home so my family can come watch my games. “I have a big family and my parents are very supportive of my baseball,” Swanson continued. “It’s close enough that they can take a day trip to see me. They can come and watch and support me.” The first connection with Fairfield came in the fall of junior year. “I went to a camp there and they said they wanted to see me in games,” Swanson related. “They came to three or four of my high school games and from there we had phone calls. I went on a visit and never looked back.” The 96th-rated senior in New England was impressed with what he saw at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference university, winners of the past four regular-season MAAC championships. “I liked how personable they were,” the 17-year-old noted. “The weight training is great and The Barn next to the field is an awesome place.” The idea of playing college baseball became a possibility for Swanson just a few years back. “Entering my freshman year of high school I was a multi-sport athlete,” explained Swanson, who was playing football, hockey and baseball. “I thought I’d pursue baseball and hoped to make varsity as a backup catcher as a freshman. The coach at KO saw what I could do, I made some leaps and I ended up starting the second half of my freshman year.” It was also the year when the 40th-ranked 2025 in Connecticut joined the MVP New England travel organization. “When I went to MVP I had talks with Matt Burns about what I needed to do,” Swanson said. “Matt has helped me every since day one of meeting him. He took me to the next level and helped me accomplish my goal of getting an opportunity to play D-I baseball. The winter and hitting workouts grew my game to where I am now.” There were others who Swanson credited with helping the cause, including Prep Baseball as well as additional coaches. “Ryan Radmanovick has been my high school coach since my freshman year,” Swanson noted. “He saw potential and helped me become the player I am today. He is a major help with the mental side of baseball, making sure my confidence is up and I’m enjoying the game. “Mike and Rob Perry were my coaches after my years in Little League and before MVP. They showed me how to love the game and are a major reason I kept playing into high school. “Ray Ricker has helped me get that final aspect that I needed to become a D-I player,” Swanson added in reference to his catching coach. “We worked all last winter and will continue working this offseason. I credit him with all of the success I have had catching.” It was during 12U baseball when Swanson became a catcher. “Coach asked if anyone wanted to catch and I was the only one that raised his hand,” Swanson reflected. “Being part of every single play and being depended on by the entire team, I like that.” Fairfield had high regards for what they have seen in the 6-0 185-pounder. “When I first saw them they said they love my physicality,” explained Swanson, who was also talking with Holy Cross, UMass Amherst and Bryant during his recruiting process. “They like my bat and said they can work on my receiving skills. I worked with coach Ray and that’s really helped me. I’ve always been a good hitter, but my catching wasn’t always there.” Receiving an offer was a memorable experience according to the 13th-rated senior catcher in New England. “I was in the middle of high school practice when I got the call,” Swanson said. “The first person I told was a friend, Harry Engle, who is going to Fairfield. It was definitely a weight off the shoulders. All the work the past three to four years has paid off. Now it’s time to have fun playing.” There is also the understanding that improvement is necessary. “I need to be more flexible, be more agile, get stronger,” Swanson related. “You can never be too good at baseball. “ Swanson, who carries a 3.89 GPA and plans to major in business, points to his strong work ethic as a valuable asset he plans to use while part of the baseball program at Fairfield. “I’m ready for the 6 a.m. lifts knowing it’s us getting better as everyone else is sleeping,” Swanson concluded. “I’m looking forward to bonding with teammates. I know one pitcher there now and one in my class that will be there. I’m excited about the memories to be made playing the game I love with friends.” |