LEBANON - For nearly a year-and-a-half Cooper Robinson did not pitch in a game.

The seventh-rated right-handed pitcher in Ohio’s 2022 class watched the 2019 high school season from the dugout after arm surgery.

That summer was spent as a designated hitter while rehab continued. 

Unfortunately, this past spring again found Robinson sidelined, this time because of the cancellation of the high school season due to COVID-19.

“It was brutal sitting,” explained Robinson, who had not pitched in-season since the fall of his freshman year after suffering an arm injury. “It was 17 months I had not pitched prior to this summer.”

There was a lot to grasp when not participating in the sport you love.

“I learned to appreciate the game,” Robinson said.

There was a lot of weight lifting, stretching and flexibility work that took up his time while building up for a return to action.

The PBR Preseason All-State Underclass Showcase in February helped show that the 23rd-ranked 2022 in the state was on the right track after hitting 87 on the radar, while also producing an exit velo of 90.

College interest picked up as well.

“I used that video, which definitely helped,” the CHCA incoming junior noted about his recruitment. “It showed the velo jump I’ve made.”

That came less than a month after Robinson touched 90 back on Jan. 21 working out with his trainer at Elite Baseball.

“I can’t even say how awesome that was,” Robinson reflected. “It was electric. Everyone watching was super excited.”

With a healthy arm, Ohio State, North Alabama, Xavier, Cincinnati and Yale were schools reaching out to see more from Robinson. But when Butler came into the picture … recruitment changed.

“It started a couple months ago when the COVID craziness started,” Robinson said about interest from the Big East school. “I called to introduce myself. (Assistant) Coach (Matt) Kennedy felt genuine. He watched some of my videos, some from PBR, and he became more interested. I got an offer to visit Butler and I did a self-guided tour walking around campus by myself.”

The 16-year-old liked what he saw and heard about the college in Indianapolis and the baseball program.

“The academics are second to none, that’s very important to me,” pointed out Robinson, who carries a 4.16 GPA and is looking at a major in some sort of business field. “The campus fit my personality, it was very clean.

“I built a good relationship with the coaches and they talked about an opportunity to play as a freshman,” Robinson added. “I just felt very comfortable. It was a great fit all around.”

While considering a future home, Robinson was also excited about a chance to pitch in real-game action again.

“I was ready,” the 6-1 190-pounder said about his return to the mound this summer for his first in-game activity as a pitcher in 17 months. “I’d been waiting so long. I was so fired up to get back out on the mound.”

It was a successful return with Robinson - “on a very strict pitch count” - allowing no earned runs in two innings with four strikeouts.

Butler certainly appreciates what they saw in Robinson, who has accepted an offer to go to school two-and-a-half hours from his Lebanon home.

“They said they like me from a pitching aspect, not just because I throw hard but I get outs,” Robinson related. “I have the pitchability they’re looking for.”

The sixth-ranked uncommitted 2022 in Ohio at the time of his commitment believes he will be able to bring a lot to the Butler program.

“They’re going to receive someone who works to get one percent better every day,” Robinson said. “That’s my main goal.”

The dream to play college baseball began at the age of 11.

“I was sitting in the dugout watching my brother’s team play and some of those guys were going to go off to college to play baseball,” remembered Robinson, whose brother Jace played baseball at Northwood for one year. “Ever since then I’ve wanted to play college baseball.”

It is now reality for Robinson, who points to his entire family - parents and brothers - along with “every trainer I’ve ever had, my high school coach and my summer coaches” with being big influences in his baseball journey.

A sense of relief comes with his college commitment.

“There’s not nearly as much pressure now trying to pitch perfect knowing I have a school that wants me,” Robinson said. “I’m still trying to be perfect, but I don’t feel the need to be perfect.”