Louis Beck '14 Recruiting Profile

My parents and I chose the high school I have been attending for two main reasons. The first was its academic strength and reputation, which made my parents very happy. The second reason was its excellent baseball program, which made me ecstatic. That formula is exactly what I am looking for in a college. I have worked very hard at both my grades and my baseball skills and would like to use both to the fullest in college. As you can see by my profile, I am a fairly strong academic student. I am in the Pre-Law Program at my high school, in National Honor Society, and received the National Merit Scholarship Program.  I received a 193 in my 11th grade PSAT which will hopefully qualify me as a Hispanic National Merit Scholar. My parents tell me that since I was 3 years old, when I was asked, “What are you going to be when you grow up”, I always, until I understood what that question really meant, would answer the same thing, “I already have a job. When I grow up I am going to pitch for the NY Yankees.” Although I have grown up, I have not erased that goal or dream from my life. I am a pitcher and a very good one. I have dedicated 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, since I was drafted for travel ball at the age of 8 to perfecting my craft. I have been very fortunate in that my parents always supported me and got me the training, coaching, and conditioning I needed. My father was a pitcher, and was drafted but never played because he was injured. So he has taught me a lot, and he always emphasized that speed would come later, and to concentrate on accuracy, proper mechanics and pitch variety. Now that the speed has been increasing every year and I can put those fast balls exactly where I want them and my change up is (according to my high school pitching coach) major league caliber. I am very grateful for the patience my Dad taught me while growing up and pitching. As I was growing and learning to pitch, I was never the fastest pitcher on my teams, but by the end of each tournament or season, I was always given the best pitcher or MVP award because of my success at getting the outs, wins and stats. This consistency, along now with better speed and variety of pitches, continues to keep me as the number two starting pitcher on my nationally ranked high school team and as a starter for my travel team (also nationally ranked) and hopefully this success will continue through my college years. I hope this letter does not sound like I am bragging. I was told to be honest, and give my strengths and desires, and I have tried to express them honestly. Thank you for taking an interest in me and for taking the time to read this personal statement. Louis Beck