Ryan Smolen '21 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing baseball my entire life.  Like many children, I began with T-Ball, then played coach pitch, and then moved into travel baseball.  Although baseball was my preferred sport, I also played travel soccer and county basketball growing up.  As I got a little older, the time commitment that was expected from each sport required me to make a decision as to what I wanted to play as my primary focus.  I selected baseball and have truly enjoyed playing the sport.  I am also an avid sports fan of both college and professional sports.  In my free time I enjoy fishing, bowling (my highest game is a 208), and playing video games with my friends.  

My parents have impressed upon me the need to focus on school first and foremost.  I truly wanted to go to DeMatha Catholic High School as opposed to my local public school.  Fortunately, my parents were able to give me that opportunity.  I realize what a privilege it is to attend a school such as DeMatha and work very hard in school.   I had been in public schools my entire life and worked hard there as well.  As a result of my hard work, I earned a partial academic scholarship to attend to DeMatha.  Although I was able to obtain a 3.7 my first quarter there, I knew I could do better.  I have applied myself even harder and expect to have between a 3.9-4.0 in the 2nd quarter of my Freshmen year.  I also rowed Crew at DeMatha as a Freshman and believe I did very well learning the new sport.  I was able to be on the top junior varsity boat as a Freshman in both the 4 man and 8 man teams.  

I understand that there is no "I" in baseball.  I enjoy what team sports offer.  We win or lose as a team.  Although baseball is a sport that focuses more on individual statistics than other sports, I realize that being part of a team often requires putting my personal ego aside if it helps our team win collectively.  Many of my coaches have told me over the years that they believe I am one of the most "coach-able" players that they have been around.  I am proud to hear them describe me like that.  They have also told me that I am one of the most mentally tough players too.  I believe that came in part from dealing with my parent's divorce.  I also believe that I come from a family of mentally tough competitors.     

I have been on baseball teams where I am the best player who is expected to carry the team.  I have been on other teams where I am asked to fill a role that I may not enjoy as much, but it is asked of me because I am capable of handling it.  I believe I am versatile, hard working, compatible, and most importantly accountable to my team and myself.  Since I enjoy playing so much, I always give maximum effort in practice and in games.  I used to pitch a lot more when I was younger, however I do not get that opportunity as much the last couple of years.  Although I would like to pitch again, my father has advised I be patient, save my arm and wait for my opportunity.  I have just started to grow where other kids matured earlier.  I believe that my size and strength are in the early stages of development compared to many 14 year old boys.   

I am fortunate that my father played Division 2 college soccer and my grandfather was a college soccer coach.  Unlike many of my friends' dads, my father has always supported me but never has pushed me too hard.  He's a big believer in hard work, but only if I come to him and ask him to work with me.  My father grew and matured later than most people.  He told me he graduated high school at 5'11" and 195 pounds, but grew his Freshman year in college to 6'5" and 235 pounds.  He has advised me to be patient and I listen to him.  Even today, he is often asked why he didn't play football and just answers it wasn't meant to be.       

As I have gotten older, I now lift weights with my dad at the gym.  My father and his two brothers (my uncles) and my mom's brother (my other uncle who played junior college baseball) are all 6'5" tall.  They lovingly tease me as being a little guy.  However I believe that one day, I will be bigger, stronger, and more fit than all of them.   They all tell me that is what they are hoping for too. 

I believe I will be an asset to any school and any team that I attend and participate with.  Since I do not know the make-up of the team I am on yet, it is impossible for me to say how I will fit in.  However I promise I will do whatever is asked of me by my coaches.  If they want me to pitch and bat clean up, I will be ready to do that.  If they feel I should play outfield and bat last because that is what is in the team's best interest I will do that too. 

Regardless to what is happening on the baseball field, I will always be working hard in school.  My goal is to get my undergraduate degree and then attend law school.  If I can continue playing baseball after college, it will be a dream come true.  However I intend to earn a law degree and become a lawyer one day, I just do not know when that day will come yet.   I admire athletes who still finish their degrees even after a professional sports career.  I believe they are great role models.   I want to grow into a person that other young athletes and students look up to one day as well.