Q and A with John Sansone, a 6-foot, 190-pound SS, Neshannock HS, Class of 2012

PBR:  Where have you decided to attend college and why did you make this choice?
Sansone:  Florida State, because of the great coaches and the school’s rich baseball tradition. Coach
Martin is in his 33^rd year as the head coach.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?
Sansone:  Virginia Tech offered me a maximum scholarship for position players plus books.  I really liked Coach Hughes also; he has a blue collar work ethic when it comes to baseball.

PBR:  Was distance from home a factor in your decision?
Sansone:  Not at all!

PBR:  Where did the coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?
Sansone:  I attended a summer camp at FSU when I was 15 years old. I ran the 60 and Mike Martin was timing me and the next day I hit a homerun in a live game off of the scoreboard. He called me in the tent and asked me if I was just 15 and a freshman and that’s where it all started.

PBR:  What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Sansone:  Coach Martin said that 3^rd base would be open, and the middle infield is not out of the question. It all depends on how I compete.

PBR:  What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?
Sansone:  Number one would be that I try to be the best teammate that I can be.  I also strive to always be in the right place on the field in every situation.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience from this past summer?
Sansone:  I play for the Mid Atlantic Canes because Coach Helsel teaches the game the right way. Winning the Coastal Carolina Tournament and coming off the field covered in mud is my favorite memory.

PBR:  What is your current GPA?
Sansone:  My current GPA is 3.0

PBR:  Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?
Sansone:  To make it to the state championship with my high school team (Neshannock).  I also want to try to get better every day as the season goes on.