TEMPERANCE - The weight room has made a big difference for Chace Cinglie.

“I definitely found the weight room and it’s made a huge change in my game,” the Bedford junior related. “With no one to come out to see me, there’s no reason to better themself besides me. I love the weight room. I’ve been hitting and lifting every day. My legs were on the weaker side before, but now I’m lifting balls like crazy since I started lifting.”

It has helped the 31st-rated 2022 in Michigan overcome what was admittedly a slow start to the recruiting process.

“I only played locally until last year when I started to play travel ball,” Cinglie explained.

Colleges then came onto the scene.

“One of my coaches at Legacy is close to the Michigan State head coach and I’ve been talking to them since August,” Cinglie said. 

Oakland and Toledo are among the other schools that have shown interest in the 6-1 175-pounder.

“Chace is a left-handed hitting middle infielder with glaring athletic ability,” noted Aaron Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting. “He shows an ability to square up the ball consistently and spray the middle of the diamond.”

Those Cinglie has talked to point out a number of solid attributes the 16-year-old displays.

“They like my strength at the plate,” Cinglie related. “They like that I can work the other way and manipulate lengthy at-bats. They also like my play in the infield and that I’ve got really quick hands.”

Second base in the primary recruiting position for the fourth-rated 2022 shortstop in the state, who has found the recruiting process very challenging in the times we live in.

“I always looked at recruiting as so many coaches would come out and watch,” Cinglie said. “When the virus settled in it’s not normal anymore. It’s hard to become personable with coaches over the phone. Who knows if I’ll ever meet my college coach until I commit? We definitely got the short end of the stick when it comes to recruiting.”

Admittedly, it brings uncertainty to the experience.

“I don’t know how long I want to wait,” pointed out Cinglie, who credited coaches with the Motor City Hit Dogs for providing “incredible help” in his recruitment. “I want to wait as long as I can so hopefully colleges will be able to come out and see me. I had a lot of big colleges wanting to see me in the spring but with the dead period they’re not going to be able to do that.

“So I’ve been sending everything I do to them. I want to let them know I’m working and that progress is being made. If they want to take a shot at somebody, make it me.”

After all, the desire to play baseball beyond high school has become stronger than ever for Cinglie.

“Until about two years ago I played locally, my parents kept my ego down,” Cinglie explained. “I never really knew my full potential. But ever since I got my first college call, Division I is where I’m going to stay. Michigan State called and said they’d love to see me in a Spartan uniform. Now I’ve got to put in the work.”

Cinglie, who carries a 3.4 GPA and plans to major in business, believes he can be a major asset to a college program.

“My work ethic is like no other,” Cinglie said. “Put someone in my position and I’m going to outwork them, whether it’s ground balls or in the weight room.”

As for when a decision might come, the eighth-rated uncommitted junior in Michigan is unsure at this point in time.

“I feel my opportunities would go through the roof if they could come out to watch me,” Cinglie noted. “If the dead period is extended (and it has been), I’ll probably continue to talk to the colleges that I’m close with and decide before the summer season.”