Inside the Recruitment: '16 RHP Payton Booth commits to Mount Vernon Nazarene

PBR: Why did you choose Mount Vernon Nazarene?

Booth: I chose MVNU because I wanted to play in a competitive atmosphere that would make me work hard, help me become a better baseball player, and a greater person. They have a great coaching staff and program that I feel like I could thrive in.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Booth: Early in the recruiting process I had communications with Toledo and a little with Marshall but nothing seemed to get too serious.

PBR: Where did Coach Veale first see you? How did your relationship develop with the coaching staff?

Booth: The coaching staff first viewed my highlights on FieldLevel which seemed to spark an interest by Coach Brown who is MVNU's recruiting coordinator. After that, he reached out to me and we communicated throughout the spring season and summer. Coach Veale first saw me play in the District Finals against Big Walnut at Beaver's Field in Lancaster, OH. Also, my school coach, Dave Klontz is good friends with Coach Veale and I know that they have communicated about me in the past.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Booth: They see me as a candidate that could help in the pitching rotation and they'll evaluate me in the fall to see if I could help out at 3B as well. 

PBR: What summer team do you play on and how has travel baseball helped your development as a player?

Booth: Last year I made a switch to the Midwest (Fairfield) Marlins 18U and I couldn't have been happier to compete with a great group of guys against some of the best competition in the midwest. I had to work hard to earn a spot in the lineup and playing with older teammates helped enhance my playing ability along with my baseball mentality. I think that the more you are around the game the better you can be. School ball has helped me as well, playing for a great head coach and staff, they've helped make me a better ball player. 

PBR: MVNU is very close to home.  How much of a role did distance play in your decision? 

Booth: It's convenient in many ways including how my family and friends can come watch me and how I know the area pretty well, but distance did not play a huge roll into my decision.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Booth: My father, Ellis Booth. He has been around the game for a long time, coaching and teaching me the game ever since I can remember. There's no greater bond between a father and son than the game of baseball.  

PBR: What were your stats for this spring? 

Booth: AVG (.378) SLG (.537) ERA (1.93) K (42) IP (50.67)

PBR: Who is the best hitter that you have ever faced? 

Booth: The best hitter that I have ever faced would probably be Colt Caughenbaugh of Licking Valley High School. He's a good friend of mine who has a pure lefty swing and can hit to all fields.