Prep Baseball Report

Inside the Recruitment: '17 C Dillon Dingler commits to Ohio State



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Dillon Dingler, C, Jackson HS, Class of 2017

PBR: Why did you choose Ohio State?

Dingler: As a lifelong Buckeye fan, I was thrilled when Coach Beals expressed interest in me following my tournament performance. Once I visited campus and had the chance to talk to the coaching staff extensively, I felt confident that Ohio State was the best choice for me both academically and for my athletic career going forward.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Dingler: I was in contact with various Midwestern schools including Miami of Ohio, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame.

PBR: Where did Coach Beals first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them?

Dingler: Coach Beals first saw me at my regional semifinal game. He was there to watch another player but was impressed with my strong showing which included the game winning hit. My high school coach, Bill Gamble, suggested that I contact Coach Beals. We had talked several times after that and this led to a visit where I was able to see other members of the Buckeye's staff, the facilities, and the university. We have kept in contact ever since.

PBR: You performed extremely well at PBR Future Games recently.  How did that help your recruiting process?

Dingler: It helped me gain exposure to schools, particularly ones out of state, which may not have noticed me otherwise. Although they were not schools I pursued in the end, having options helped me ascertain that Ohio State was right for me.

PBR: You are only a junior, how important was it to get your commitment out of the way so early?  Are you finished with the recruiting process? 

Dingler: Getting my commitment out of the way early has two major benefits. First, it lets the coaching staff at Ohio State focus on other recruits in order to best strengthen the rest of my recruiting class and allows me to focus both on my schoolwork and my other passions which are football and basketball.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what is your most memorable experience?

Dingler: I play for Ohio Elite McNerney and my most memorable experience was having the opportunity to play at Vanderbilt; I caught my current and future teammate, Juan Broom. We played very well together and ended up winning the game, which made it even more memorable.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? 

Dingler: I wasn't expecting the recruiting process to start as soon and move as rapidly as it did. That being said, .I am thrilled to be sitting here knowing that I will be spending my four years in Columbus with a coaching staff that cares about their players as people and not just as athletes.

PBR: What were your stats this spring season?

Dingler: Statistically, I started the season slowly but Coach Gamble and the rest of my coaches helped me get back on track and I finished the season strong with a .305 batting average and I was playing my best baseball during the tournament