Q&A With Iowa Western Commit: Ben Dotzler- OA/BCIG

November 3, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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Name: Ben Dotzler
Position: RHP
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds
High School: OA-BCIG
PBR Rank: #32 in IA 2016 Class

Evaluation: 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Physical build. 6.9 runner. Strides across body. Stiff lower half in swing. Pull approach with raw power to pull-side. 92 mph exit velocity. Tall fielding position. Fields underneath. Does good job of working through baseball when fielding. Above avg. carry on throws at 80 mph. Good tempo and direction in delivery. Lands slightly across body. Arm is clean and loose. Fastball has downhill plane with late ASR at 83-87 mph. Curveball is avg. Slider is much better with above avg. depth and shape thrown at 74-77 mph. Slows arm on changeup causing flat action.

PBR: Why did you choose Iowa Western CC?
DOTZLER: Iowa Western has one of the top programs in the nation. I visited the campus and was very impressed with the facilities and the coaching staff. Coach Rardin and Coach Herbst are dedicated to their players and have a long track record of player development and advancing player careers. The location of the school was also a factor.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
DOTZLER: South Dakota State and NIACC were the other two schools I was considering in the end.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
DOTZLER: At the PBR Top Prospect Games in Iowa City. Coach Herbst and Coach Rardin called me regularly and they were very easy to talk to and helpful.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
DOTZLER: Yes, it was an interesting process and the decision was difficult. I took several visits to look at programs and meet with coaches. I met some very good coaches, but in the end I just felt like IWCC would provide the best opportunities for me to meet my goals. Now I can just focus on my game and get better.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
DOTZLER: When I went on my visit I was really impressed with the coaches and facilities. Also the opportunity to help me move onto a 4-year school.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
DOTZLER: My parents have always supported me. My dad spent lots of time catching and coaching me and all of my other high school coaches have taught me various aspects about competing in general.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
DOTZLER: I really didn’t know what to expect. After the PBR event I attended in August, I had a lot of coaches contact me. It was difficult to make a shortlist and the final decision was very hard.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
DOTZLER: Give the team some productive innings on the mound and help the team win.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
DOTZLER: Battling against very good MVAO teams in 1-run games over the past two years.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
DOTZLER: Korey Kuhlmann of MVAO, who is now at Iowa Western.

Q&A With Iowa Western Commit: Ben Dotzler- OA/BCIG

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