Q and A with Rose-Hulman Commit: Chris Grable (Mason HS)

Chris Grable, OF, Mason HS

PBR: Why did you choose Rose-Hulman?
Grable: I chose Rose-Hulman because it is a great fit academically.
Rose-Hulman is a challenging institution focused on teaching engineering and getting its students great jobs immediately after graduation.  Next, Rose's baseball program is solid.  I felt most comfortable with the coaching staff and will be competing for a starting job freshman year.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Grable: I was considering Case Western Reserve University and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

PBR: Where did the JCU coaches first see you?
Grable:  They first saw me in videos I posted on YouTube including several in game at bats, an outfield throwing session and a batting cage session.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Grable: Coming in, the coaches expect me to compete for an outfield spot. Nothing is guaranteed.  I just have to keep working hard.

PBR:  What team do you play for in the summer?
Grable: I play for the Cincinnati Baseball Club.

PBR: What sort of sacrifices did you have to make to play a travel intensive schedule during the summer? What sort of advice would you pass on to players looking to make the same decision?
Grable: It was a huge time commitment.  In order to be successful at that level, playing some of the top teams in the country, I had to work at the game constantly.  During the summer the batting cage becomes my second home. When my friends were going out and I had a game the next morning, I had to decide what mattered most to me.  To other players, make sure you are committed to the sport before you decide to travel.

PBR: What was the most memorable experience from this summer?
Grable: The most memorable experience was playing in the World Wood Bat tournament in East Cobb, Georgia.  We faced some of the top talent in the country and were always being watched by scouts of all levels.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Grable: Keith Schraffenberger.  From him I learned life lessons.  He served as a role model and always had the best interest of his players at heart. He was a player's coach and manager.  Lastly, he believed in me first and in turn, I believed in myself.

PBR: What were your stats last spring season at Mason?
Grable: I am not exactly sure.  In conference I am hitting in the neighborhood of .360 with 0 errors in the field.  The important thing is we're 15-1 in the league and GMC champs.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?
Grable: The toughest pitcher I have faced so far was either TJ Zeuch or Andrew McDonald during school tryouts this spring.  They are both very tall so the ball comes in fast at a steep angle.  Their off speed pitches are pretty nasty too.