Tim Turner, LHP/OF, Massillon Jackson HS, Class of 2014

PBR: Why did you choose George Mason?

Turner:  I choose George Mason because of the coaching staff.  They are very committed to their players. I feel they will give me a great chance to improve as a player on the field and as a person off the field.  In addition to the coaching staff, I was pleased with the academics at GMU and its opportunities.  Since it is only forty-five minutes outside of Washington D.C., there are many options for jobs or internships for students at George Mason.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Turner:  I was also considering Boston College, Kent State, Akron, and St. Johns

PBR: Where did the George Mason coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them?

Turner:  They first saw me play in Florida for the Perfect Game WWBA Underclassmen Tournament.  At first, the coaching staff and I would exchange emails periodically to start to build a relationship.  Then, I attended Junior Day at their campus to have a sense of what the student atmosphere at George Mason was like. After Junior Day, I would try to call them once a week in the offseason and spring.  Then on July 1^st, I received a call from their pitching coach, Coach Hay, wanting to see me play one last time in Georgia at the Perfect Game WWBA 17u Tournament. After the game, he invited me to visit George Mason again where I met with him and the head coach, Coach Brown.

PBR:  You recently attended PBR’s Top Prospect Showcase.  How did that help you in the recruiting process?

Turner:  It was a good experience seeing the other great prospects that Ohio has.  It opened a couple doors for me as well.  I did not perform my best that day, but schools liked the way I hustled all the time.

 PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience?

Turner:  I play for Chandler Baseball 2014s National team.  The Chandler organization is based in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  It’s tough to choose my most memorable experience, yet I would have to say it is how close we are as a team even though no one lives near each other, and I love being able to play with such great players. For example, my real good friend, Nick Raquet, who is committed to pitch at University of North Carolina, is such a hard worker, and he pushed me to become a better player as well. 

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

Turner:  The coaches expect me to help them out right away as a pitcher either as a starter or in the bullpen.  They want to evaluate my swing a little more and I may have a chance to hit as well.  

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? 

Turner:  Going into the recruiting process I was very new to it and really didn’t know what to expect.  As time went on, I gained a better understanding of what I needed to do to pursue my dream of being a college baseball player.  If you stay on top of creating contacts or elaborating on a relationship, then it is easier to find the right school.  Slacking off can definitely hurt you since it is a really small window of time to be recruited.