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Q&A with Brunswick commit Austin Kline

December 13, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Austin Kline is a 2014 graduate from Montini HS who recently made his college commitment to Brunswick CC in North Carolina. Kline is currently ranked No. 181 in the state and shows the ability to hit from both sides of the plate.

Kline recently shared his recruiting experience with us.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Kline: The whole process was much different than I originally thought. I guess I thought that it was going to be a little easier in some respects and that I would have been able to make a quicker decision; but there are so many different and exciting programs out there that it was hard to not think a lot about a final choice. Overall, the experience has been really awesome. I met a lot of great coaches and enjoyed the campus visits, seeing several of the various college programs out there. I was really glad I had some good choices, that helped me ultimately make the best choice in deciding on Brunswick CC – North Carolina.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program?

Kline: I was looking for a competitive college program that would allow me an opportunity to get lots of playing time right away. I was also looking at a Junior College opportunity to allow me to develop my skills; so that I eventually could transfer to a competitive Division 1 or Division 2 program. I also liked that Brunswick CC was in the NJCAA College World Series last season and had a very competitive baseball program. Brunswick CC will give me the opportunity to play at third base and at catcher.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Kline: I knew that I would really want to play down south and even closer to the East Coast. I have travelled to tournaments in North Carolina, Virginia and Florida every winter and summer with my travel team the past four years and I knew that ultimately I would want to play baseball down there.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Kline: I think that this past summer, the recruiting process for me really started to heat up. I had been receiving emails and letters in the mail from various schools/coaches; but around July 1 I began receiving phone calls. Once I began receiving phone calls from a coach, I felt like they were serious about recruiting me.

PBR: Where did Brunswick CC first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Kline: My first contact was with Assistant Coach Wahl from Brunswick CC, who called me about two months ago. I believe he said that they had seen me compete in the Home Run Derby in the Triple Crown World Series Games and play in a tournament that I played in this summer sponsored by Triple Crown Sports in Richmond, Virginia. Coach Wahl also looked at video that I had sent over. After talking with Coach Wahl via texting and the phone, I decided to visit Brunswick CC over the Thanksgiving break. After the weekend visit, I felt like Brunswick was the place for me.

PBR: What do you like most about Brunswick CC and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Kline: I really like the coaches, Coach Allen and Coach Wahl. The coaching staff at Brunswick is ultimately what made me really want to go there. Also the competitive program that Brunswick offers, it’s a winning program. I like the area, it is only 45 minutes north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is located on the East Coast minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. The opportunity to be outside playing baseball nine months out of the year, and in the summer months play in the Myrtle Beach league and work in the beach area. I also like that the two players in their second year from Brunswick CC that I met have already committed, one to East Carolina and Charleston Southern University.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Kline: I had several schools that I really liked a lot. I think the hardest decision was deciding on what level of baseball I would be best suited to play at…deciding on a place where I would have an opportunity to continue playing baseball on the field as an incoming freshman. I was seriously considering Georgetown University, John Carroll University, Lewis University, Upper Iowa, Lawrence University and Missouri S&T. Once I started talking and developing my relationship with Brunswick CC, I knew I had found the right place for me.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Kline: My advice to the players younger than me…I would say to always continue playing the game, the best time to work on your game is finding a good fall and winter league. Make practice a part of your game every day. Never give up and stay focused on getting better.

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