The Prep Baseball Report Mississippi scouting staff recently sat down with South Jones shortstop, Tyler Ducksworth to discuss his recent commitment to Jones County Junior College. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session:

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Ducksworth: I really wasn’t expecting much from the recruiting standpoint. I just wanted to go out there and play ball.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Ducksworth: The location did play a small factor in my decision. I wanted to play somewhere where my family could come support me and enjoy themselves without having to worry about traveling

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Ducksworth: Jones first saw me in the 9th grade when I was playing third base for south jones. But my contact with them didn’t start till the summer of my junior year. I got to talking more to coach Rhodes and coach Kirtland they wanted me to come in and be the guy to play shortstop for them.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Ducksworth:It’s a lot of great baseball players I’ve played against since I’ve been at south. It’s hard to just choose one

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?
Ducksworth:After my freshman year. I batted 433. And I also made all state that year too. That’s when I know I had something special going.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Ducksworth:I was really looking for a place that would take my skill set to the next level. I wanted a honest and a high energy coaching staff to work with. And jones has always had a great program and they also wanted me to be their guy.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Ducksworth: It’s really hard for me to just point out one of my best attributes because I don’t like to show a weakness in any part of my game so In practice I like to polish up every aspect of my game.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Ducksworth: I think my biggest improvement that I need to make is In my two strike hitting. I’ve gotten better at chocking up and just tryna put the ball in play.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Ducksworth: Keep god first no matter how successful you get.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Ducksworth: I’m in the gym every day and I’m also running and keeping my body in tip top shape.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Ducksworth: I love my coaching staff. They are great guys and they are very honest with you. I’ve developed a great relationship with them. The key factors in choosing jones was that they have always had a winning tradition and that they were really close to home.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Ducksworth: Alabama State, Alcorn State, University of Alabama Birmingham, Jackson State, East Central CC