By Jerry Shank
Maryland Director of Scouting

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John O’Neil took over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as the Interim Head Coach this fall.  He is very familiar with the program, being an assistant there for three years prior to taking over.  In his time there the UMES program has made strides forward and has increased the team batting average while decreasing the team E.R.A.  UMES opens up their season tomorrow at the University of Alabama.  Coach O’Neil was kind enough to take some time out to talk recruiting and taking over a program with PBR Maryland.

As the new Head Coach at UMES, what are some things that you want to establish to your program?

Obviously our coaching staff wants to prepare our student-athletes for success on the field, but we also want to establish characteristics in our student-athletes for success in life after their four years at UMES. Life lessons such as dealing with adversity, trust, communication, etc. can be taught on a daily bases through the game of baseball. We want our student-athletes to take pride in themselves as a team, and as a representative of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the classroom, in the community, and on the diamond.

How did recruiting go for you in 2014?

We are very excited about our 2015 recruiting class. With all of the talented student-athletes we have brought in the last two years, our 2015 class is smaller, but dedicated to our specific needs.

What is something that players might not know about UMES?

Several years ago, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore was recognized as the "second most beautiful campus in the United States" by the National Professional Grounds Management Society.

How would you describe the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference?

This will be my fourth year associated with the MEAC, and the programs within it have improved every year. Take for example the drastic turn-around at Coppin State and Florida A&M. Both programs had record-breaking seasons last year. Bethune-Cookman won a game in last year’s regionals and Florida A&M beating a powerhouse program like Florida really shows that the MEAC can compete nationally.

Have you been able to tell a difference with the new baseball? Has it had any effect on recruiting a specific type of player?

There is a difference, but not an overwhelming difference. The baseball will carry some more, and pitchers have to make small adjustments when using the seams for grips. At this level, players won't have that much of an issue with the change.

With all the 2017 and 2018 commitments going on, what are your thoughts about young men making their decision at such an early age?

It is a very tough decision for a prospective student-athlete, as a lot of things can change throughout four years of high school. It all depends on the individual prospective student-athletes. If I was talented enough to be recruited in my early years of high school ball, I personally would like to weigh all my options.

As a recruiter you have to be everywhere at once. How do you like the fact that Prep Baseball Report will now run events in Maryland?

It is great. There is a lot of young talent in Maryland and its surrounding states. PBR Maryland will give our coaching staff the chance to view this talent closer to home.

How important is having some video footage available to you in order to begin to identify a player you may not have seen before?

As you mentioned in the previous question, we are expected to be everywhere at once. There are countless events happening all the time now. NCAA rules only allow three coaches to be out recruiting at once, so it is nearly impossible to see all the talent out there. Video gives us a chance to view a prospective student-athlete when we might not have the ability to watch the player live.

Prep Baseball Report may be new to Maryland, but is an established resource for amateur baseball across the country. How do you feel to finally have Prep Baseball Report in the state of Maryland?

We have had success recruiting at PBR events out of state. We are very excited that PBR Maryland is now established, as events will happen right in our backyard. We are looking forward to continued success using PBR as a resource to identify players.