Recruitment Ends Close To Home For UC Commit Smith

Boston Smith C / SS / Vandalia Butler, OH / 2021

“They had slowly contacted me after the Top Prospect Games at Prasco,” the Vandalia-Butler junior said of UC. “That’s when they saw me for the first time. Coach (JD) Heilman was at the Future Games and told me he’d like to get me on campus and talk to the coaches. I called them at the Future Games and they showed high interest in me.”

An hour long trip to the Cincinnati campus was all that was needed to end the recruitment of Smith.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere without a visit,” Smith explained. “I went to a camp/visit and they offered. I felt the facilities and the location were best for me.”

Ohio University and Virginia Tech had also offered the 5-11 180-pound left-handed hitting backstop.

“They like how I catch and how I’m a left-handed hitter,” Smith said about Cincinnati. “They also appreciate that I can play all of the outfield and most of the infield.”

After catching on the varsity at Vandalia as a freshman, Smith moved to third base this past season.

“They had a senior catcher this year who wasn’t as good at third base, so I was introduced to it,” Smith reflected. “I’d played it some when I was younger.”

The 2019 high school season was followed by a summer playing for the Cincinnati Spikes. Included was one memorable outing.

“I had a bad game and (head coach) Pat Christensen talked with me afterward,” Smith said. “It was one of the most influential talks I ever had. It was about what I’m capable of doing. It made me want to work and get better.”