Boston Smith Commits to UC

“They had slowly contacted me after the Top Prospect Games at Prasco,” the Vandalia-Butler junior said of UC. “That’s when they saw me for the first time. Coach (JD) Heilman was at the Future Games and told me he’d like to get me on campus and talk to the coaches. I called them at the Future Games and they showed high interest in me.”

An hour long trip to the Cincinnati campus was all that was needed to end the recruitment of Smith.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere without a visit,” Smith explained. “I went to a camp/visit and they offered. I felt the facilities and the location were best for me.”

Ohio University and Virginia Tech had also offered the 5-11 180-pound left-handed hitting backstop.

“They like how I catch and how I’m a left-handed hitter,” Smith said about Cincinnati. “They also appreciate that I can play all of the outfield and most of the infield.”

After catching on the varsity at Vandalia as a freshman, Smith moved to third base this past season.

“They had a senior catcher this year who wasn’t as good at third base, so I was introduced to it,” Smith reflected. “I’d played it some when I was younger.”

The 2019 high school season was followed by a summer playing for the Cincinnati Spikes. Included was one memorable outing.

“I had a bad game and (head coach) Pat Christensen talked with me afterward,” Smith said. “It was one of the most influential talks I ever had. It was about what I’m capable of doing. It made me want to work and get better.”

Strides have definitely been made in his game.

“I feel I’ve grown a lot, especially with my catching,” Smith noted. “I was a good catcher, but I’ve really improved the detail part of blocking and framing and the mental part of working with the pitcher. That wasn’t there until this summer.”

It helped the idea of playing ball at the next level become a reality.

“It was closer to junior high area that I realized I wanted to play college baseball,” Smith said. “I set a goal that I had to make it to the next level.

“This spring there were times I began to lose hope. But once multiple coaches started contacting me, I came to my senses that this was going to happen.”

For Smith, it would not have taken place without some help.

“Both of my parents were big in this,” Smith noted. “My dad has always been there for me helping along the way. They pushed me harder than anyone I know. I feel they knew this was going to happen before I did.”

Smith also credited a number of coaches.

“Trent Dues has developed me from my freshman year in high school, not only as a player but as a person,” Smith said of his coach at Vandalia-Butler. “The main thing he’s taught me is how to deal with adversity.

“Pat Christensen pushed me harder than anybody and helping me know what I was capable of doing,” Smith continued. “Mark Armstrong, one of my other summer coaches, really helped develop my mental game of baseball and taught me how to think at a high level of baseball.”

It has Smith working hard to get ready for playing at the collegiate level in the American Athletic Conference.

“Strength is a big factor for me,” Smith said. “That’s something I need to work on. Knowledge of the game is also something that you can always learn. Other than that, I just need to continue to work hard and get better every day.”

Doing it with a future at Cincinnati already determined makes it more enjoyable.

“I’m in disbelief,” Smith admitted. “It’s a fact that I’m going to be playing in one of the top five conferences in the country for the University of Cincinnati. It’s a dream come true and a blessing being able to say that.””