- 2021 Spotlight
Personal Statement
My name is James Matthews and I am an infielder / RHP from Nelson, New Zealand. I turned 13 in August 2020, which means I will be ready for College in 2026.
Baseball has been my passion for the last four years. I started baseball at the age of nine and instantly fell in love with the game.
During the 2019 / 2020 season, I captained our Clubs 13U travel team and was a starting player for the Clubs 16U travel team. I have been a starter for the 16U travel team since I was 11, travelling to Nationals each year.
I have been selected to represent New Zealand in both the 12U and 13U teams, competing at the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson, Missouri in 2019. During the CRWS I was named MVP as a relief pitcher in our game against the Dominican Republic.
In September 2020 I was named Baseball New Zealand 13U Player of the Year.
I attend Nelson College, the oldest state secondary school in New Zealand, founded in 1856. I understand the importance of being focused both on and off the diamond and in 2019 I was awarded top of the class and named Head Boy for 2020. In 2020 I was awarded Dux for my year as well as Sportsman of the year.
During the offseason my focus is on maximising my fitness, conditioning and strength for baseball, but I also play competitive basketball. In April 2021 I attended a New Zealand Basketball development camp.
I take inspiration from athletes such as Kobe Bryant, whose book ‘Mamba Mentality' has taught me that hard work and perseverance are game changes. Hard work and perseverance is also reinforced by my Club Coach, Marty Grant, who won three world championship titles for softball.
I look at every At Bat as a new opportunity and always have a positive attitude. Even though I am extremely competitive and driven to win, I am known as a respectful player to my Coaches, the Umpires, my opponents and to my team mates. I also understand the importance of giving back to my sport and help coach and umpire for our club.
It is my dream to play at a Collegiate level where I can contribute significantly on the field and to my teammates. I would like a baseball programme where I can make an impactful contribution. I will always be the first to practice and the last to leave. No one will outwork me.
I am not tied to any one geographical location and am flexible with the size of the college I attend. After I graduate I want to compete in professional baseball.
