Commitment Corner: Future Games Participant Marty Higgins Commits to St. John's

PBR: Let’s start off with your commitment. Why did you choose St. John’s?

Higgins: I chose St. John's because as soon as I met the coaching staff I felt as though I was at home and already part of a family.  They really made me feel comfortable making my decision. Also, they are a school that is pretty close to home and I feel like that is very important, because I would like to have my family see me play at the next level. The decision itself was not difficult at all, because they assured me that they will push me and make me the best possible student, person, and athlete that I can be.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Higgins: Rutgers, Campbell, Elon, Seton Hall

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Higgins: The first time that Coach Blankmeyer (St. John's Head Coach) saw me was at a Perfect Game tournament in Vineland, NJ. Although that may have sparked interest from them I did not officially start talking to them until after the PBR Future Games. That tournament was flat out amazing. There were hundreds of scouts there, and I know that pushed me to try to impress. I felt as though I played very well there, and it was not long after that I made my commitment to be part of the Redstorm.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?

Higgins: As I was still in the process of looking at schools I did not feel very anxious or antsy about much.  I always kind of figured that I would find a college that I would fit in the program as well as the program being a good fit for me.  Although I had felt that way, I do believe that committing had given me some sort of swagger and confidence when I went on the field.  After I committed I felt at peace with the sport and I can just play it the way it's supposed to be played: for enjoyment.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put St. John’s over the top?

Higgins: The deciding factor had to be the coaching staff.  As soon as I met the coaches I knew it was a place that I would like to go to.  I really liked that they were very honest with what they had thought of me as a player and how they thought I would fit into their program.  They spoke from their heart like people rather than a businessman trying to sell me something. I really am looking forward to playing for a great group of coaches.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?

Higgins: I never thought that much about the recruiting process. I would just play my game and my dad had always told me that I should not worry about it. He would always tell me that the most important part is to enjoy the game and just by doing that, the recruiting process will follow.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?

Higgins: My most memorable baseball moment to date would have to be my first varsity game as a freshman. To open up the season we were playing Montclair, and I ended up being put in the 2 hole. It was my first varsity at bat, and I ended up squaring the ball up over the fence.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?

Higgins: The best baseball player that I have played against was Devin Ortiz.  Devin lives in my town, and we played on the same team for a year when we were in middle school together.  He went on to play for St. Joe’s Regional in high school and is now at UVA playing baseball. We also had played against each other in travel ball over the years but I really enjoyed playing with him.