Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with George Washington Recruit Charles Tsintolas



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By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

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Today we chat with George Washington commit C Charles Tsintolas of The Heights School

Charles TsintolasName: Charles Tsintolas
Position:
C
Class:
2016
Ht/Wt:
6-foot-1, 195-pounds
HS:
The Heights
PBR Rank:
No. 15 in MD Ranks, No. 1 C

Scouting Report
2.22.15 Hit from a couched and balanced stance.  Arm barred during load.  Short toe to heel stride.  Lower half exploded to the ball.  Maintained good balance throughout swing.  Displayed fast hands with an Exit Velocity of 84 mph.  Swing path was short with good extension that worked uphill. Line drive stroke that should find the gaps.  Showed signs of potential pull power.  Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot.  Quick release.  Pop times were 1.89 - 2.02. Throws had carry and some accuracy.  Footwork was quick and gained ground to second.  Great setup that was athletic.  Showed soft hands with good receiving skills.

What made George Washington the right fit for you?
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Academically, GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs offers the major I’m looking for and is considered one of the world’s leading schools of its kind. Athletically, Coach Ritchie and his staff are also the best. A former MLB coach and player, Coach Ritchie has very high personal and professional coaching standards. He’s genuine, knowledgeable and respects his assistant coaches and players. Every time I talk with Coach Ritchie, I learn something and that is the key to improvement.

What was the recruiting process like for you?
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The recruitment process was frustrating sometimes but, overall it was a great opportunity to meet a lot of talented players from all over the country and some of the top coaches in college baseball.

What other schools did you consider?
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Several schools were under final consideration, including: Davidson, Holy Cross, Dartmouth, Lehigh, VMI and Duke.

What were key factors you were looking for in your college decision?
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The key factors considered were: the academic standing of the university, the curriculum in each school’s international affairs/political science majors, the quality and experience of the coaching staff, the number of catchers on the roster, and the Head Coach’s coaching philosophy.

What are your goals now before you graduate?
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Before I graduate from high school, my goals are to keep my grades consistent, take four AP exams, help prep our pitchers for spring season, and continue to improve my strength, conditioning, speed, and batting.

TsintolasWhen did things start to pick up in the recruiting process?
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In the summer 2014, I had good showings at Wake Forest, Duke, and at the Long Island Head First Honor Roll Camp, where I hit a three-run homerun over the scoreboard. At various camps and showcases that summer, I was clocked throwing sub-2.0 throw-downs in games and began to have great conversations with college coaches and recruiters. I made sure to update coaches as I met personal athletic and academic goals in the fall season and meaningful contacts really increased as my junior year fall season ended.

What are you going to bring to George Washington as a freshman?
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There’s no substitution for hard work. I’ll bring my work ethic, ambition to succeed as a student and as a team member, and I’ll bring my sense of humor.

Who is the best player you have played against?
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Although, I did not know him personally, the best high school player I played against was Andrew Sharpe, C – 2014, from Riverdale Baptist.

What summer program did you play for and what did you learn with them?
+
I played for Stars Showcase Baseball, and benefited from knowledgeable coaches who all had college and/or professional experience. They taught me some of the finer points of the game, especially the mental part. I also learned that playing on a tournament/showcase team is not enough. If you want to get evaluated by a college coaching staff, you need to attend that school’s on-campus camp. I learned that my recruitment and my future was always in my hands; not anyone else.

Do you have any advice for younger players beginning to/going through the recruiting process?
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Coming from a small school, I knew I had to make opportunities to be seen, and I had to be ready: mentally and physically. That meant changing my eating habits and learning good nutrition, working hard every day to improve skills and techniques, allowing my body to rest, and keeping my focus on the game. I set my goals early, worked with very good trainers, looked at every day as a chance to improve, and worked just as hard in school as I did on the field. I took challenging classes, studied, and earned the best grades I could. I avoided any thing and anybody who could interrupt my progress. At all times, I never gave up. The recruitment process is crazy, with frustrations, unexplained rejection, and sometimes you’ll feel helpless. Keep going. Don’t be afraid to reach out to college coaches. Stay focused on improving your skills and grades, and good things will happen.

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