By Blake Hibler
Director of Scouting, PBR Indiana

Rhett Baumeister, a RHP out of Tell City Junior-Senior HS, recently committed to Vincennes University and Head Coach Chris Barney.  

Below, Baumeister discusses his commitment to Vincennes.

PBR: Ultimately, why did you choose Vincennes?

Baumeister: I chose VU for multiple reasons - first I am pursuing a career in law enforcement and they have the best program in the State of Indiana. The coaching staff made me feel at home from the first time I met with them. I feel like they can help me successfully take my game to the next level and they have first class facilities including a brand new field.  I just knew it was the right place for me and I feel I can help VU win ball games.

PBR: What other schools were you interested in?

Baumeister: Olney Central and Wabash Valley.

PBR: Where did Vincennes first see you compete? 

Baumeister: My junior year I attended their fall showcase. 

PBR: What do the coaches expect of you when you first arrive on campus?

Baumeister: The Coaching staff expects me to arrive on campus in baseball shape and pitch 20 to 30 innings during their fall baseball schedule.  They expect me to be focused on my grades and be ready to work hard in the weight room.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and how have they influenced your playing career? What was the experience like?

Baumeister: I play my summer baseball for the Rockport American Legion Post 254 under legendary coaches Jim Haaff and Bobby Snyder.  I enjoyed playing on a team with a rich baseball history and a tradition of winning.  This summer we won the 40th Sectional Title in Post 254's history.
Playing with such talented team mates made me step up my game and helped build my confidence. Playing for Coach Haaff and Coach Snyder, I learned new game strategies and improved my pitching techniques.  The experience helped me mature as a pitcher.
 

PBR: Who is the best player you've faced in Indiana.

Baumeister: Tyler Walsh - Mater Dei.

PBR: What is your most memorable moment as a baseball player?

Baumeister: My high school team beat Mater Dei in the opening round of the 2013 High School Sectional, that is played at League Stadium.  Mater Dei was ranked and we were not expected to win, but we did. We used a new line up.  We threw four different pitchers who all had distinctly different pitching styles to keep their hitters off balance.  I threw innings 5 and 6 and held them scoreless and we won 5 to 2. Celebrating a win like that with my high school team is why we play the game.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Baumeister: I have three people who have had a large impact on my baseball career and in my personal development. My parents, Tim and Susan Remke, and Pat and Glenda Baumeister who have always provided me with the opportunities to play baseball from little league to travel ball.  My step dad, Tim Remke, taught me to pitch at the age of 8 as one of my little league coaches.  The second person is Brad Fella, who I have taken pitching lessons from since I was nine years old.  He not only taught me technique, but also a deeper understanding of the game.  The third person is my first high school coach, Mark Wahl, who believed in me enough to give me my first varsity start as a sophomore and taught me to respect the game and my teammates and the other team.

PBR: Now that you've committed, what are your goals heading into the high school season?

Baumeister: I have one goal that is shared by my entire high school team and coaching staff. The Tell City High School baseball team is returning 9 seniors, all with varsity experience, and all five starting pitchers from last years team. We are determined to bring home a State Championship to Tell City High School. One Team one goal!