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By Dennis Healy
PBR MA Director of Scouting

Charlie McConnell, SS, Belmont Hill, Class of 2015

PBR: What are your expectations for the upcoming spring now that you have gotten your college commitment out of the way?

McConnell: Now that I have gotten my commitment to Northeastern out of the way, I am thrilled. I remember playing as a sophomore, and playing with a little nervous energy at times, which I think would help and hurt me at different moments. Not having to worry about school, takes all the pressure off, and just lets me relax, and play the game I love.

PBR: Who else recruited you?

McConnell: I had interested from Boston College, Stony Brook, St. John’s University and the University of Central Florida

PBR: Why did you chose Northeastern and what expectations do you have of the program when you arrive?

McConnell: I chose Northeastern because I thought it was the best fit for me baseball wise, and academically as well. I am very intrigued with their business program, and basically the school as a whole. I love the city of Boston, and I couldn’t think of a better place to go to college than in the city. Most important in my decision though was the coaching staff at Northeastern. Just talking to all of them, they are the type of coaches who I would want to play for in college. I feel like they were the best fit to help me develop as a player, and get to where I want to be with my goals in baseball. And seeing the quality of players that are there now, and the ones that have given their commitment is exciting.The talent is there, and I look forward to getting to the school, and being able to focus on only baseball, as I have played hockey year round for pretty much my entire life.

PBR: Who has had the biggest influence on your baseball and scholastic career?

McConnell: Both of my parents have been the biggest impact on my baseball and scholastic career. My dad, the head baseball coach at Suffolk University in Boston, has taught me everything I know about the game of baseball. I can not thank him enough for sharing his passion for the game of baseball with me. My mom has also helped me in my baseball career, by making sure I stay positive, and never get to down on myself, as baseball is a game of great mental prowess. When it comes to my scholastic career, both parents have made a huge impact on me. They instilled in me from an early age, that if I work hard in school, I will get the results I desire, and I think this carried over to the baseball field as well.

PBR: How do you think the Belmont Hill baseball team will be this spring and what goals have you set for yourself?

McConnell: We are going to be the team to beat again. We are returning the majority of our lineup, but we suffered some big losses in three key seniors who graduated last year. We are all trying to earn ourselves a third ISL title and the program’s fourth in a row. Our team had a great season last year going 19-1, and we completed our goal of winning the ISL title again, and we cannot wait to make another run at that title this coming spring. For me personally, my goals are to just contribute as much as much as I can to the team, and try and help us get to where we want to be at the end of the season

PBR: Who do you try to emulate your game after and do you play any other sports?

McConnell: I don't really try an emulate my game after anyone. I feel like I play the game how my dad taught me to and have added some of my own originality along the way. For other sports, I play hockey in the winter time.