Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Underclass Invitational Participant Michael Felton





Prep Baseball Report Colorado is ready to hit the ground running in 2016 with two major events.  The Underclass Invitational event at Slammers South will take take place on January 31st. Over the coming weeks, PBR Colorado will introduce you to 2018 and 2019 players who have committed to this event.  Continuing our look is C/OF, Michael Felton, 2018 from Mountain View High School

PBR:  Describe yourself as a baseball player to those who have never seen you play:
Felton:  I describe myself as a "quiet" leader.  When, I say "quiet", I don't mean vocally soft.  I am vocal, which is important for a catcher, but I stay "even-keeled", not getting too emotional.  I lead mostly by example in my hard work and hustle and willingness to learn. I don't like losing, so I'm very competitive! 

PBR:  What would be your dream school to play baseball at?  If you have already committed to play at the next level, why did you choose that particular school? 
Felton:  My dream school would be a D1 school with a good architectural engineering program.  I would love to play baseball for a program and school that will challenge me and make me better, and to which I can also contribute as a teammate. I would prefer a school close to home, but really just want to earn a degree and play baseball! 

PBR:  What are your best assets on and off the field at this point in your high school career?   
Felton:  My best assets on the field are my leadership abilities and my willingness to learn, as well as my work ethic.  I earned the nickname "Pigpen" on the field when I was small, because I was always willing (my dad says "eager") to get dirty to make a play (I don't usually get called that anymore, but the style of play has stuck with me).  My high school coach, Brian Smela, also says I have a "great mentality and demeanor for baseball,"  I think because I can stay loose, stay calm, and focused even in critical moments.  My best assets off the field are that I am smart and outgoing.

PBR:  What is the best baseball advice you have received and try to follow to this point in your career? 
Felton:  The best I ever received was from my friend, Logan Moore.  He told me that baseball is a game of ups and downs, but you can never let yourself get down on yourself.  You need to have a short memory.  He also told me to imagine the 30,000 other high school varsity baseball teams in America.  There are 30,000 varsity catchers (and their back-ups!), and only a limited amount of colleges.  He said there will most likely be someone better than me, but there should never be anyone who works as hard as me. 

PBR: What does your off-season routine look like to prepare for the upcoming season?
Felton:  During football season, I just lift, and throw the baseball around every couple of weeks.  When football is over, I add more conditioning workouts, both with teammates and with just a trainer.  I also do pitcher-catcher workouts three times a week.  

PBR:  What are your superstitions or routines that go on during a season? 
Felton:  I do like to try and get dressed the same way every time for practice and games, not as a superstition but because I just like to.  It helps me get focused and ready to go.  I also play catch at a throw-down distance for about 5 minutes after warming up before every game.

PBR:  What are your goals for: 

This Season: This season, my goal is to earn All-Conference recognition and be titled as one of the strong leaders of our team.

Two Years:  In two years, as a senior, I want to make the All-State team and have a wide range of colleges to go to because of my academic success.

Four Years:  I want to be at a solid D1 school with a good architectural engineering program.  I also want to be a solid contributor on a baseball team!

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