Chopin Battles Through Adversity To Reach College Dream

Chase Chopin OF / Jonathan Alder, OH / 2024

PLAIN CITY - An injury meant a setback to the recruiting process for Chase Chopin, but once recovered interest heated up to the point of an offer and commitment to Bowling Green.

“I didn’t know they’d been following me for a few weeks,” the incoming senior at Jonathan Alder explained. “They saw me in Cincinnati and I had multiple barrels and hit a two-run homer to take the lead. A day after I got a text from (assistant) coach (Matt) Rembielak, the recruiting coordinator, and we had an hour and 15 minute call that night talking about everything.

“We scheduled a visit and I really loved the campus and really loved the coaching staff,” Chopin continued. “They offered, I talked to my family, and a few days later I committed.”

Marshall, Penn State and Earlham were schools in addition to Bowling Green that the 11th-ranked 2024 outfielder in Ohio had been in contact with the most during his recruitment.

“My recruiting process started in the winter,” Chopin reflected. “I was hurt for a year so there was no recruiting until this year. It was kind of stressful knowing this was a big year and I hadn’t played the year before. I didn’t know where I’d end up, especially with not having a year to be fresh and get stronger. I’m glad I stuck through it.”

A lower back fracture, which happened twice, brought doubt baseball would even be in his future.

“Honestly, I didn’t know if I’d be playing baseball again,” admitted Chopin, who was out for 11 months with an injury that took place in April of his sophomore year. “When I got told at the Ohio State Spine Center that it was in the best place possible for a fracture it was awesome being told I could get back to playing again.”

PBR then benefitted the cause in getting exposure.

“I went to the Launch showcase with the whole organization so I could get new updated data to send out,” Chopin related. “PBR helped with that and with rankings to get my name out and also with tournaments when they post if you do something big. Then the Top Prospect Games was big. They had record numbers there. That was fun, I really enjoyed that.”

It proved vital in Chopin obtaining his dream to play at the next level.

“I knew I wanted to play college baseball at a young age,” Chopin explained. “At seven, I’d say I was playing at a high level and by eighth grade I started to realize what I was and what I needed to do.”

Improvement was big, both in the later stages of recovery from his injury as well as after.

“I improved mentally and physically,” Chopin said. “I didn’t step foot in the weight room for eight to 10 months, but the first week back lifting my bench went up 50 pounds. I added growth and muscle with that. When I was cleared I did speed training and power lifts, quick fast twitchy stuff that I knew would not injure me.”

Chopin pointed to help in his development as well as recruitment in getting noticed from schools like Bowling Green.

“Jordan (Cheiro, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting) and the whole PBR staff definitely helped me along the way,” Chopin said. “Coach (Josh) Moss with Launch Baseball also helped and a big thank you goes to my parents for everything they have done and provided for me.”

BG proved to be the beneficiary in all the help, receiving a commitment from the 74th-rated 2024 in the state.

“They liked my speed and power combo,” the 5-10 170-pound left-handed hitting Chopin said of Bowling Green. “They like how I can cover ground in center field.”

The development of players by the Bowling Green staff is a plus Chopin said stood out in his decision to take his game to the Mid-American Conference program.

“I’ll bring energy, happiness and smiles,” Chopin said of what he believes he can provide BG. “I love to mess around but at the same time be serious. I’ll bring more of a personality to Bowling Green. As an athlete, I’ll bring speed, small ball and some power, but speed is the big one.”

Once a commitment was made, Chopin admits it was a great feeling.

“We all were pretty happy,” related Chopin, who turned 18 on Aug. 10. “I didn’t even know if baseball was in my future, but now that I’m doing well and that happens, it’s a sense of relief. You’ve made it through adversity and you’re going to be able to play baseball a little longer. I’m glad I didn’t give up on my dream.”

Now the dream turns to bringing success to the BG program.

“I’m looking to help win and bring back championships and titles to BG,” concluded Chopin, a 3.2 student planning on a major in business. “I’m looking forward to furthering my career and ultimately hope to get drafted. That’s been a lifelong goal of mine, one of the bigger ones in my life.”