Max Manning '20 Recruiting Profile

    Baseball has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My dad did not play and did not coach, but I was still drawn to the field every spring. I've been lucky to be part of great teams. They have helped me understand that team work and hard work can open doors.  Baseball has given me a place where I feel like I belong. Even when things go wrong, my team and my coaches have been there to pick me up.

    My favorite feeling in the entire world is striking someone out. Over the years I have played multiple positions. The game is a challenge, but I keep coming back for more. I am able to play any position in the outfield. Additionally I am versatile at first base but feel I excel the most on the mound. I've had ups and downs at the plate. As a lefty, I'm often called to bunt. I'm athletic on the mound and love to run the bases. It makes me just as happy to steal a base as it does to pick someone off.

    Baseball is a game of failure. It has made me work harder and strive to succeed more on the field and in the classroom. One of my coaches used to say, "If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail." I approach everyday knowing I'Il have to work harder and get better because there is always someone bigger, stronger, and faster. This applies to everything I do; academics, mental approach, commitment to my friends and family, and my individual goals as well as my devotion to my team.