CINCINNATI - At 5-8 and 165 pounds, Grant Miller understands he does not stand out on the playing field.

“I have to prove to everybody that I can play,” Miller admitted.

That means giving a little extra at all times.

“I’ve got a chip on my shoulders knowing I have to work harder than anyone else,” Miller explained. “But I know I just need to be confident in my ability and play the game hard.”

Ball State saw that in the 128th-ranked 2021 in Ohio last fall in Fort Myers.

“I started talking to coach (Blake) Beemer after that and became comfortable with the coaching staff,” Miller reflected. “They have the same goals as I do, to compete and get to Omaha.”

There was a visit to the Muncie, Ind., campus featuring an athletic and academic tour before the quarantine from COVID-19 hit. But the recruiting process changed after that.

“With covid it was mostly all video-based,” Miller related. “I had to send them a bunch of videos of me stealing bases, getting base hits and making plays in the field. Basically, videos of me in-game since they couldn’t come to see me in games.”

The Lakota West 17-year-old obviously impressed the coaching staff with the Mid-American Conference program resulting in a commitment by the versatile Miller.

“They like my speed and dirtbag mentality,” noted Miller, who runs a 6.83 time in the 60. “They like how I can steal bases and just cause havoc on the base paths.”

Xavier, Charleston and Thomas More were other colleges under consideration by Miller before a final decision was made to attend the MAC university located two hours from home.

“I liked the academic program there,” pointed out Miller, who has a 3.3 GPA and plans to major in business and sport management. “I also like their tradition, that they compete for the MAC (title) every year. But it was the coaches that really sold it for me. They were awesome.”

Improvement in two aspects of the game played a part in Miller getting noticed during the recruiting process.

“I’m taking a better approach at the plate laying off pitches I can’t hit,” Miller noted. “I’ve also strengthened my speed and ability to steal bases using both the old-school and new-school methods. I’m being more aggressive.”

Still, Miller realizes there is more to do in order to make an impact at the next level.

”I need to get bigger, faster, stroger to be able to compete with the older guys at Ball State,” Miller said 

Recruited by Ball State as a center fielder and second baseman, Miller believes he can bring a lot to the table in college.

“Energy” is the first thing Miller mentions when it comes to what he will be able to provide Ball State. “I’m hard working, great on the basepaths, I can play multiple positions and I learn very quickly,” Miller added.

The desire to play after graduation began in junior high.

“I started thinking about college baseball my seventh-grade year,” Miller said. “I knew I wanted to play and started working harder. I knew I had to work harder than anyone because of my size.”

It began to pay off in high school.

“My sophomore year I started on varsity at short,” Miller noted. “The coaches really helped me realize I have a chance to do this, but I knew I had to work harder if I wanted to get there.”

Lakota West assistant Jason Christian along with CBC summer coaches Keith Decker and Jeremy Baioni have been influential in guiding Miller along his baseball journey.

“They helped me when it comes to giving 100 percent and turned to me as a leader on the field,” Miller said.

It proved vital in a recruiting process that has come to an end, admittedly bringing relief for Miller.

“It was a little stressful when covid pushed everything back,” Miller related. “But once I got the offer and committed, I started playing more loose. Now I just need to put the work in to be able to play at the next level.”