Commitment To BC Brings 'New Sense Of Motivation' To Williams

Ben Williams OF / OF / Avon Old Farms, NH / 2024

HANOVER, N.H. - Ben Williams was “days from committing to another school” when Boston College reached out.

“It’s been one of my dream schools,” the Avon Old Farms senior related. “I went on a visit and loved it, being a New England guy.”

Rutgers and Penn State were also considered, but the 6-0 205-pound outfielder found BC to be the right fit.

“First off, I love Boston,” Williams explained. “It’s always been a dream to be in Boston. It’s a place I dreamed about playing at and the ACC is legit. I met a lot of really good people while I was there, the team was very welcoming. And the new staff, the new head coach (Todd Interdonato), is the most energetic guy I’ve ever met. I’m told he’s really intense.”

BC found Williams, who has predominantly played center field for his high school and travel teams, a nice piece for the program.

“They like the combo of speed, my physicality and the potential to develop a lot of power,” Williams noted.

It wasn’t long ago that the idea of playing at the next level was not even a thought.

“I grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire which is pretty secluded in the baseball world,” Williams said. “Before I went to Avon in the 2020-21 school year I didn’t even know college baseball was a potential for me. That changed my perspective. It was late, but I started playing travel ball.”

Improvement soon followed.

“When I first got to Avon I was really raw,” Williams admitted. “I hadn’t had much coaching on mechanics. I changed every part of my game. My arm used to be really really bad but now it’s improving. I understand the game now. I’m hitting at the top of the lineup for Avon and did for Clubhouse this summer.”

It was at the time arriving at Avon when Williams started thinking about getting college looks.

“I knew nothing about the recruiting process,” the 18-year-old noted. “I went to a PBR showcase and got some numbers there, but then tore a hamstring the next year so I didn’t do much.

“A lot of my success came from the Ruffnecks and then this past summer with Clubhouse. It was a great experience. I had no offers but once I went with Clubhouse I started getting offers left and right.”

High School coach Rob Dowling was instrumental in development and recruiting according to Williams, who also credited coaches and people “back home in Hanover” with helping get to the point of being a D-I baseball commit.

“It was a crazy feeling when I committed,” Williams related. “At the end of my freshman year when I realized college baseball was possible I wrote a list of six schools I wanted to go to and Boston College was on it.”

A commitment only makes the desire to improve increase in the eyes of Williams.

“It gave me a sense that I’ve got to get so much better,” Williams admitted. “It raised the possibility of getting drafted and that just motivated me. It was relief and happiness while not being fulfilled yet. It was a new sense of motivation.”

Williams is confident about making an impact in the Atlantic Coast Conference program located a little less than three hours from home.

“I’m a really hard worker, someone who can run, steal bases, cover ground in the outfield and hit anywhere in the lineup,” Williams explained. “I’m someone who will continue to get better and also a good person with good character.”

Williams, who carries a 3.77 GPA and is undecided on a college major, has high expectations when it comes to his future at Boston College.

“I’ve watched college baseball for three years and it looks so fun playing at the highest level with all the resources you have,” Williams concluded. “I can’t see how you don’t want to get better.

“Boston College is a great school and I wanted to go to an academic and baseball school,” Williams added. “I wasn’t sure I’d find one with both, but I found it.”