Name: Kevin Smith
High School: Columbia HS
College Commitment: Maryland
Position: SS

PBR New York sat down with Kevin Smith who attends Columbia HS for a question and answer session.

PBR: Tell me about your preparation for the 2014 season.

Smith: This off season I put all my attention on baseball. For the past three years I have played basketball, but in order to make the gains I set out for this winter, I did not play this year. I worked mostly with my South Troy Dodger's team and tweaked a few things in my swing I wanted to clean up before the season.

PBR: You are committed to Maryland. Tell us how you came to that choice?

Smith: Maryland felt like home the first time I visited. Coach Szefc was very straight forward with me and I felt comfortable with the location, as well as the current players. It was a place I could see myself going to school and playing at for the next few years. The warmer weather doesn't hurt either, and I'm very excited to become a Terp in less than five months.

PBR: Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses as a player.

Smith: I think my main strength is my work ethic. I'm very determined to go out and obtain some of the high goals I have set for myself in the upcoming year. I love working on my game and I'm never satisfied with where I'm at. No matter what I did the previous game or season I'm always looking for something I can improve on, whether it be in the field or at the plate.The biggest weakness I had in my game was my lack of strength. However, this off-season I worked hard to improve on this and I'm very happy with the weight I'm at to start the season. I feel more powerful and athletic this year and I think this will help me in every aspect of the game.

PBR: Who are the top players you will face this year?

Smith: We have many great players in Section II and I can't wait to see what kind of numbers they put up. Justin Yurchak from Shenendehowa and Dan Maynard from Burnt Hills are both great players I will play against this year. I play with them in the summer on South Troy and I have respect for both of them on and off the field.

PBR: Who are the top teams you will face this year?

Smith: With the Section II talent being spread out this year, I think there are a couple teams that could become the team to beat. Shaker may have the advantage because they return so many players, but Shenendehowa is right up there and I wouldn't be surprised if they give Shaker a good game or even stole one from the Bison. We are looking forward to playing both of these teams, with our game against Shenendehowa being at the Joe.

PBR: What is a fun fact about yourself?

Smith: I have idolized Derek Jeter ever since I began playing the game. Jeter is one of the few guys in the game that everyone respects on and off the field, and I idolize him for that reason. I'm going to enjoy the last year I will be able to watch the Captain play, and I have the utmost respect for number 2.
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