Adam Vasil, C, North Royalton HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Ashland?

Vasil:  Everything about Ashland feels like home.  I always thought I wanted a bigger school, bigger campus etc, but once I visited AU for the first time I realized it was the perfect place.  I stayed with some older baseball players and they took me around campus and to the cafeteria.  It had a big school feel, yet the players saw so many people they knew that it still has that homey feeling I really enjoy.  The sports management program at AU is second to none.  They have a lot of influence around the state for job opportunities which is a main priority. Also the Convo, the cafeteria, is not just a typical cafeteria, its won awards for being the best college cafeteria in the entire country.  Usually coaches take their top recruits out to a fancy steak house for a big T-bone steak, Coach Schaly took me to Convo for dinner, and it was the cherry on top.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Vasil:  Miami of Ohio, Wright State, Xavier, Tiffin, and Marietta.

PBR: Where did the Coach Schaly first see you? How did your relationship develop with him?

Vasil:  I went to a prospect camp at Ashland early this fall and had a great showing.  A former pitcher from my high school, Vince Frate, who I always caught bullpens for when he came home, pushed me hard to the coaching staff as well.  Coach Schaly called me soon after the camp and we set up a visit.  I went down to campus where I met with Schaly and pitching coach, Coach Patton, they gave me a great tour of the school.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Vasil:  They want me to come in right away and compete for time.  They expect me to split time as a freshman with a senior catcher, and then from there on out take over the reigns behind the plate for the next three years.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Eagle baseball?

Vasil:  I am a catcher.  A lot of guys are straying away from what being a catcher is really about.  I am a catch and throw guy.  I pride myself in being able to control a game based on how my pitcher is performing at that moment.  You will not find a high school catcher who has can control the tempo and momentum of a game like myself.  I know when to slow things down when my pitcher is wild and frustrated, and I know when to keep the game fast and play into his rhythm and flow.  That even changes from guy to guy.  Some guys you have to get up in their face and say "lets go!" and other guys you have to calm them down and keep it quiet and relaxed.  I really enjoy getting to know new guys and how they work; the mental game is what I love.  I think this will help me break into the starting role as a freshman because I will hit the ground running and know how to adjust to different guys and how they operate. It also helps that I have caught multiple top level guys who will make huge impacts at the next level like Eric Lauer, Zach Farmer, Cody Callaway, Zach Shannon etc.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Vasil:  I play for the North Coast Gladiators under Coach Dwayne Callaway with several college bound guys, one being Kent State commit Eric Lauer.  The most memorable experience was playing in the Buckeye Elite Championship game against the 18U Ohio Elite.  I had a first inning double off of Kent State pitcher Nick Jensen-Clagg.  Even though we lost, it was awesome playing at the Columbus Clippers home field, Huntington Park.  From sitting in the dugout, hitting in the tunnels underground, to playing on that field, it was an unforgettable experience.  That Ohio Elite team was by far the best team I have ever played, it really opened up my eyes as to how much different playing against the best of the best D1 and D2 athletes will be like.

PBR: Who has made the biggest impact on you in your baseball career?

Vasil: Without a doubt, my Dad, John.  He has done things that most kids dream their Dads would do for them.  Whether it was going to a practice in November, a tournament down in Kentucky, or one of the numerous showcases away from home, he has been there every step of the way.  We have grown very close to do the countless hours of baseball talk and college talk while just sitting in the car going places to play.  I cannot imagine a baseball season without him in the dugout coaching me up on what to do here or what to look for next at bat.  He's been my biggest fan from since I can remember.  Being about an hour away, it’s a good feeling to know that he can come watch me play all the time.

PBR: Ashland is making several new upgrades to their baseball facility.  How much of a role did that play in your decision?

Vasil: It definitely impacted my decision, but whether there are new facilities or not, I feel like the coaching staff, team tradition, and opportunity I have to play right away cannot be passed up.

PBR: What were your stats for last spring season at North Royalton?

Vasil: I batted .405, with 8 doubles, 1 triple and 6 homeruns.  I received Plain Dealer's Player of the Week honors, 1st Team All Conference, and Team MVP. 

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Vasil: Easily my pitcher from summer, Eric Lauer. He's a lefty, throws low 90s, and has a change up that drops off the planet... All I can say is that there's a reason why he is the number one ranked player in the state of Ohio.