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Q&A with Austin Peay commit Brett Newberg

February 13, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Brett Newberg (Moline, 2015) is currently ranked No.19 in Illinois’ Class of 2015. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound left handed pitcher has a clean athletic arm action sitting 83-85 mph coupled with a swing and miss slider. Newberg recently made his verbal commitment to Austin Peay and we talked to him about the process.Brett Newberg

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Newberg: After my first two PBR events and once Top Tier season started, was when I really starting getting interest from schools.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Newberg: I kept a very open mind when looking at schools. In an idealistic world I wanted to go to a baseball school, somewhere south, where I could play both ways and have a chance to play all four years. Luckily for me I found that in Austin Peay. So I guess you could say I found my idealistic school.  

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Newberg: For me personally, distance wasn't a very big factor in my decision. I wanted to go where I felt the most comfortable and it didn't really matter how far away it was. Obviously my parents, especially my mom, wanted me to stay somewhat close to home, but they were totally supportive of any decision I would make regardless of distance. 

PBR: Where did Austin Peay first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Newberg: I honestly don't know the exact time they saw me first, I know coach Mangrum told me he had watched us play 5 or 6 times over the summer, and then a maybe a couple more in the fall. I knew that coaches like to get out and see new people, so when he said he had seen me quite a bit, I figured he was probably pretty interested. After my visit to Austin Peay we stayed in pretty close contact and I had a good feel about the coaching staff because of that.

PBR: What do you like most about Austin Peay and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Newberg: I like the fact that I am going to have to opportunity to play both ways, and be able to play as a freshman. Also, the coaching staff is awesome. Coach Mangrum, Coach McClure, and Coach Dunbar are all awesome and I've gotten to know them all very well. Also another big plus was that Austin Peay is a baseball school and they have very good baseball history and tradition.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Newberg: I chose between Austin Peay, Western Michigan, Southern Illinois, and the University of Illinois.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

I wouldn't give myself the title of an elite player, because the way I see it, if you think you are too good, that's when your game starts to level off. I look at it as I have been given some athletic ability, but there is always somebody out there that is better. I’ve always been serious about getting better, but this past year was when I really felt the need to get going. I have been extra focused and I'm always looking to get better. 

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Newberg: By no means is it going to be easy, but if you really want it and you work hard nothing can stop you.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Newberg: During the offseason I have been really working hard on hitting. I am currently doing a weighted ball program, and I have a training program during the week. I feel that all the different things I've done should pay off this year. 

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Newberg: We should be a solid team again. We are going to be young, so that could somewhat play a factor, but I think we will do fine. The only suspect thing is we don't have a very deep pitching rotation, so a lot of younger guys are going to have to step up.

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