Ryan Roger, 1B/OF, Avon HS

PBR: Why did you choose Baldwin Wallace?

Rogers: BW has the perfect balance between academics and baseball for me.  The coaching staff is amazing and have turned a lot of different programs around.  I believe they will get me playing at my full potential

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Rogers: I looked at Lake Erie College, Heidelberg, Marietta, Shawnee State, Ashland, Alabama State, Ohio Weslyan, and Muskingum

PBR: What was the relationship you had with the Coach Harrison and the rest of the coaching staff in the recruitment process?

Rogers: The relationship is always honest and friendly.   They’re always upbeat and wanting to know more about my baseball career.

PBR:  Where did Baldwin Wallace first see you compete?

Rogers: Coach Harrison saw me at one of my practices with my summer team in Oberlin over the winter.

PBR: Coach Harrison has been able to turnaround every program that he has coached.   How quickly do you believe that BW can compete in the difficult OAC?

Rogers: I believe he is on the quick road to winning the OAC very soon.  So far he has started off the 2012 season very strong and I can see him continuing on that way.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help as a Yellow Jacket?

Rogers: My determination and work ethic are very strong and with the coaches at BW I believe I will be able to become the best baseball player I can very quickly to contribute to the team early on.

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Rogers: I will be playing for the North Coast Vipers this year and last year I played for the Brunswick Bat Cage Club.  My most memorable experience was probably moving to the outfield which I hadn’t played since I was about ten years old because we had too many first basemen and not enough outfielders.  It was a hard transition at first but I eventually settled in and got the hang of it.  It opened other opportunities for my college career to play both positions

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Rogers: My dad has had the biggest impact on me.  He put a baseball and bat in my hands when I was still in a crib.  There are so many good memories we’ve made over the years together.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Rogers: I would like to continue to increase my offensive game, keep my defensive game sharp, and become a smarter all around baseball player

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Rogers: The toughest pitcher I faced was one in a tournament at Youngstown State when the Brunswick Bat Cage Club played the Ohio Orioles in 2011.  It’s my understanding that he was a high recruit by the Cleveland Indians.