Ryan Chang '17 Recruiting Profile

Baseball is a huge part of my life. The baseball field is a sanctuary where I can let myself go. I consider myself a baseball rat. I just can’t get enough of it. Even if I’m not playing I love watching and learning the game.

Unlike most players I have quite a bit of international experience. When I was between the ages 10-12 years old my parents would send me to Taiwan to train with a local little league team. There I played against teams like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and other teams in Taiwan. Taiwanese little league practices during the summer often lasted nine hours in 95 degree weather in 80% humidity. The practices were daily. I spent two summers doing this. For many little leaguers this would sound like torture, but for me I got to play baseball every day. It was practically a heaven. That experience not only improved my Mandarin but taught me the importance of discipline and hardwork. I feel that this experience has mentally prepared me for playing baseball at the college level.

I am a four-year varsity player and my experience has enabled me to guide younger players. I also coach a local Babe Ruth team with players between the ages 13-15 years old. I started coaching when I was 14 years old because I had an elbow injury that year. But that couldn’t take me away from the baseball field. So I became an assistant coach. There I learned how to be a leader and communicate with different types of players. Coaching gives me a different perspective of the game and massively helps my baseball I.Q. Through my experience as a coach and player, I am able to keep my composure in high pressure situations.

I am looking for a college that offers a great education and a baseball program. I plan on playing baseball until someone rips the jersey from my back. But when my baseball journey is ultimately over, I want the comfort of knowing that I have a respected diploma in my back pocket.