Fontaine: Maine Has ‘Special Place In My Heart’

Miles Fontaine SS / 3B / Barrington, RI / 2025

BARRINGTON, R.I. - A recruiting process that began in the eighth grade has come to an end for Miles Fontaine with a commitment to Maine.

“They showed me interest consistently,” the Barrington High School junior said of the America East Conference university located 51/2 hours from home. “They kept making sure my coach was sending them updates of me. They have a special place in my heart. They wanted me and I wanted them.”

Talks with a Maine assistant began in April before the new recruiting rule started.

“I just kept my head down and worked hard,” Fontaine said of what he did once the NCAA rule on recruitment silenced verbal communication. “They saw me in the summer and told my coaches they liked me. On Aug. 1 they called and offered.”

That came a week after participating in a team camp at the school in Orono, Maine.

“Once I got the offer I took my time to make sure I was making the right decision,” noted the 15th-rated 2025 shortstop in New England, who also had interest from Northeastern and Bryant. “When September came around I decided it was the right place for me. It was where I wanted to spend the next four years after high school.”

Maine saw one major plus in the 6-2 175-pounder.

“They see me as a power bat in the middle of their order,” Fontaine said.

A commitment brought a closure to what the 15-year-old called a “definitely long and hard” process.

“I always knew college baseball was the thing for me,” Fontaine explained. “My recruitment began in eighth grade when I heard from Houston. Then it was BC, then USF and then Purdue. But it had a lot of ups and downs. You’d hear from a coach and then you wouldn’t. I had to make sure I did my due diligence to be in the right place.

“In March of 2022 I did my first PBR,” the fifth-ranked junior in Rhode Island continued. “After that I was in touch with Northeastern and Wake Forest. My metric stats led to more eyes on me. It definitely created more buzz around my name.”

Those improved numbers showed Fontaine was making major strides.

“My arm velocity went from 74 to 87 in the infield,” Fontaine pointed out. “I took weights  seriously in the offseason and continued to get faster.”

There was assistance along the way.

“My parents provided me with so many resources,” Fontaine noted. “The Scorpions and Cody Ortega were also big. Without him I wouldn’t have been looked at by big schools.”

The 83rd-rated 2025 in New England is confident he can be a huge asset to the University of Maine program.

“They’re gonna get a team player, somebody that wants to win,” Fontaine said. “They’re getting somebody that will be a big contributor.”

A commitment brought a big sense of relief according to the second-ranked junior shortstop in Rhode Island.

“I’m super happy and my family is happy to know where my future is at,” noted Fontaine, who is being looked at as a shortstop or third baseman by Maine.

There is also an understanding that improvement is still needed.

“I need to be ready to hit elite pitching,” Fontaine admitted. “I have to gain weight and get more physical.”

A major in finance or business is the plan for the 3.6 student, who is excited about what lies ahead.

“I’m looking forward to the grind and getting better every day,” Fontaine concluded. “I feel I have a chance to play in the pros if I perform. That’s what I’ve dreamed about my whole life, so this is super cool.”