Multi-sport Athletes Weigh In On Advantages And Disadvantages
December 14, 2023
Dylan Hefflinger and Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/Scout and Senior Writer
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Multi-sport Athletes Weigh In On Advantages And Disadvantages
***To view all of the All-State performers who have PBR profiles, please click here***
Circumstances are different for everyone. For some, playing one sport is the way to go. For others, the chance to play as many sports as possible is so rewarding.
“I love playing sports, it’s what I do,” explained Owen McKoon, a two-sport standout in baseball and football at Perry High School. “Playing multiple sports has helped me as an overall athlete.”
A state championship in football is only part of why the “second sport” for McKoon brings enjoyment.
“I love football,” the Perry junior said. “I love the special bond I have with the same teammates I have played with since second grade.”
There is more that makes the gridiron special for the Lake County Touchdown Defensive Player of the Year.
“I love being physical on the field,” stated McKoon, who led the Pirates this year with 146 tackles, eight sacks, 21 TFL and 31 solo tackles, while adding one interception and a pair of fumble recoveries. “I’m a linebacker and I love the hitting part of the game.”
Winning a Division V state title was obviously a memorable experience.
“Finishing 16-0 with a state championship was a dream come true,” the 6-0 199-pounder related. “It is Perry’s first state championship and I hope we can bring home a baseball championship, too.”
If that is to happen, McKoon will likely be a major reason it takes place.
“Baseball is my No. 1 sport,” noted the 17-year-old, a first-team Division III all-state catcher as a sophomore. “I love being on the field. My favorite part of baseball is batting, but I also like holding on runners and throwing them out at second.”
McKoon was outstanding as a 10th grader for Perry, hitting .532 with three home runs, 39 RBIs and 31 runs scored, with five doubles, four triples and 17 stolen bases.
The co-All-District Player of the Year remembers one of the biggest moments of the season well.
“Winning summer tournaments are always a highlight of the summer but when I hit a grand slam over the fence last year for my high school team, it was a great feeling,” pointed out McKoon, the top-rated 2025 uncommitted catcher in Ohio who has proven to be a team player in whatever sport he is playing.
“Usually I’m a linebacker and catcher, but when my football team needed a punter I started kicking the ball,” explained McKoon, who finished the season averaging 40 yards a punt. “When our baseball team needed another pitcher they turned to me.”
A 7-0 record with a 0.53 ERA and 41 strikeouts helped McKoon win the Greater Cleveland Baseball Coaches Pitcher of the Year accolades.
“I didn’t think I was going to be the punter or a pitcher but I did what I needed to do to make the team better,” McKoon said. “I want to be a leader and good teammate on and off the field.”
Admittedly, being a two-sport athlete is not always easy.
“Playing baseball and football doesn’t give me a lot of downtime, but when I can I love to golf,” McKoon related. “I train yearly in the weight room and am lucky to have the National Strength and Conditioning coach, Mr. (Mike) Crissinger, at Perry High School. He helps me get better in each sport.
“We also have a batting cage at home,” McKoon added. “My dad throws me BP almost every day.”
After all, baseball is the number one sport for the fifth-ranked junior catcher in Ohio.
“Let me be clear, I like football but I want to be a baseball player in college,” explained McKoon, who was a member of the Prep Baseball Report “September Call-Ups” a year ago, recognizing some of the top players in the state during the 2023 campaign. “I am being recruited by a couple of D-I schools to play baseball. I have a couple offers, I don’t want to name the schools yet, but have not committed.”
For the multi-sport standout, it is not surprising that sports will be in his future, not only on the field but in the classroom. The 52nd-rated 2025 in the state has narrowed his potential college major down to sports therapy or sport management.
Read on to find out what these multi-sport athletes have to say about their high school experiences in athletics.
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Jovan Love CF / RHP / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2025
Football: D-I first-team all-state wide receiver.
Baseball: Ranked 99th in the 2025 class, the 6-1 180-pound center fielder and pitcher is the 15th-rated junior outfielder in Ohio.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to me because it always keeps me in shape and gives me different assets I can bring into the other sport.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Playing football helps me out with baseball in ways such as having the speed asset and of course building my body to have that strength to put a ball 300-plus feet.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
I would say the hardest part about playing multiple sports is the mental factor. Sometimes it can definitely be hard on your mind when you don’t have much time to yourself and you're constantly trying to achieve things so when you fall short it can put a lot on someone’s mind.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would say to not quit on that other sport. In the past I’ve definitely thought about focusing on one sport because I was comparing myself to myself in the other sport. So if someone is thinking of focusing on one sport I would just say to take some time to think over it and have confidence that the door to play both sports in college is definitely available.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
My plan for athletics in college is of course to compete at the highest level there is. I know that playing both sports in college is looked down upon because of how difficult it can be but I’ve been doing this my whole life and my ambition to continue playing both is far greater than the weight it may bear on me.
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Football: D-V second-team all-state running back.
Baseball: The D-III second-team outfielder hit .411 with 37 runs, 21 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. Ranked 93rd in the 2025 class, the 5-7 175-pound center fielder/left-handed pitcher is the 13th-ranked junior outfielder in Ohio.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
It’s beneficial because playing more than one sport in high school can give you more to do instead of just worrying about baseball all year around.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Football helps me with intensity and work ethic. I bring the same intensity in football when I’m playing baseball and it’s just the way I am - intense and hard nosed.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The disadvantages are you don’t get a lot of time off and I don’t get a chance to train for baseball as much during football.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would definitely say play more than one since if you just play one (baseball) you could lose the love for it. When you play multiple sports, you’ll miss the other much more when you're not playing it and realize how much you love baseball when you aren’t playing it. You also are creating more bonds outside of baseball.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
Right now I have not decided whether I want to play football or baseball in college yet. I am going to be patient and let God take care of my decision.
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Michael Russ OF / SS / Archbishop Alter, OH / 2024
Football: D-IV first-team all-state defensive back who had three receptions in the state finals.
Baseball: The 6-1 175-pound outfielder/shortstop is a Findlay commit.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
I would say playing multiple sports in high school has been very beneficial for me. It taught me how to be disciplined and how to be an independent individual because when you play multiple sports your schedule is going to be filled with sports and school and you have to be able to learn how to make sure you get all your schoolwork done and still be successful and give everything you have to your sport. It has also been beneficial because it makes you live a healthier lifestyle with working out and always being active. It forces you not to be lazy. I would say the most important thing that both sports gives to a person is life time friends and memories.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Football definitely helped me out big time as a baseball player. Football workouts made me stronger and faster and more athletic which contributed to my athleticism on the baseball field stealing bases and making plays in the gaps of the outfield, and being a center fielder. The strength the football lifts gave me definitely helped me with my power and exit velocity on the hitting side of baseball. Football also helped me out by giving me a winning mindset and a never-giving-up mentality which helps out a lot during baseball.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest part about playing more than one sport is probably all the stress of school and sports.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would tell the athlete to definitely play more than one sport because it grows your muscle skill set and it also creates more connections and friendships in your life. I would also say that they are too young to only be worried about one sport and they have no idea what will happen in their sports career. You should never close doors to opportunities.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I plan to play college baseball at the University of Findlay.
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Michael Lalonde SS / RHP / Oak Harbor, OH / 2025
Football: D-V second-team all-state defensive back.
Baseball: Rated 82nd in Ohio’s 2025 class, the 5-10 160-pound SS/RHP is ranked 14th among junior shortstops in the state.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multi-sports is very beneficial to me because it shows my competitiveness. Always being able to compete and win for your school is something I think is very important.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Football helps me out with baseball by making different angled throws in the pocket which translates to shortstop having to use different arm slots. It also helps with just my overall strength.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The only disadvantage is not having an off-season where I can just lift and get bigger. With playing basketball as well, there is really no “offseason”.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
You only get so many years with your guys from first grade, so play with them as much as possible. They make sports fun. Also, play for your school and WIN for your school while you can. Leave a legacy in multiple sports.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
My plans for college will be going and trying to play baseball somewhere. Baseball season is kinda every season in a sense. I’m always working on little stuff that shows up.
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Abe DeLano RHP / SS / Ayersville, OH / 2024
Football: D-VII third-team all-state wide receiver.
Baseball: D-IV second-team all-state two-way, the 6-3 215-pounder was 4-2 with a 1.21 ERA, fanning 64 in 46 Innings. The Northern Kentucky commit is the 48th-rated senior right-handed pitcher and 100th-ranked 2024 in Ohio.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
From my personal experiences being a three-sport athlete my whole entire life, I feel like it helps a lot just with overall athleticism. I think a lot of college coaches look for multi-sport athletes so that helps, too.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
This is only my second year playing football but I think it helps with mental toughness, competitiveness, and balance as well. I also think wrestling helps with the same three the most.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest part is definitely finding time to throw and focus on baseball during the offseason. I can see a couple disadvantages such as getting injured or with wrestling most people like to lose weight. It would be more helpful for baseball if I didn’t lose any weight and gained muscle.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I think it depends on how big your school is, but if you go to a small school like me I would definitely suggest at least doing one other sport just to get a break. Do something else that is fun and also will help you with your sport in the long run.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
My plans are to get my degree in education and keep moving forward to the next level as long as possible. If my baseball career has to come to an end, then I’ll have plan B ready.
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Trey Rubinstein OF / RHP / Napoleon, OH / 2025
Football: D-IV first-team all-state defensive back.
Baseball: The 17th-rated junior outfielder in Ohio is a 6-3 175-pound OF/RHP ranked 122nd in the 2025 class.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
It allows me to work different parts of my body for different times of the year, and continues building friendships with different people year ’round.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
The main way that football helps me better my baseball skills is by becoming more explosive. This can help while stealing, bunting, or making a jump on a ball.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest part about playing multiple sports is definitely time management. The only disadvantage would be not being able to make it to all of the offseason workouts for both sports.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would say that you only have four years left to play with the people you’ve grown up with, so take advantage of every opportunity you can grab ahold of to be with them.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I’m not sure whether I want to play baseball or football, but I would like to play one of the two and further my education in engineering.
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AJ Harlamert C / OF / Coldwater, OH / 2024
Football: D-V first-team all-state wide receiver.
Baseball: The 57th-rated senior catcher in Ohio, a 5-10 155-pounder, is ranked 399th in the 2024 class.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Being a multiple sport athlete has just always been something I've done. I played all three until sophomore year. It’s very beneficial to me because it keeps me in shape and keeps me active. For me personally, I like to be in a routine so this helps perfectly. People always ask me, “what’s your favorite sport” and I respond with “whatever season it is.”
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
There are many ways that football helps me out. Football teaches you a lot of things including toughness, discipline, effort, composure, and teamwork. All are things that will help you out just as much in football as they would baseball.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
One of the disadvantages of playing two sports would just not being able to focus on a single sport. A lot of baseball camps that we got offered to attend are in the fall and on a Saturday and that doesn’t work because you are really sore and beat up from the Friday night game, plus we would have football in the morning, too. I would say the hardest part would be just the mental transfer from sport to sport and how they are completely different in a way.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
For a future kid wondering whether to play multiple or just stick to one, that's really just on how you want to live it. I would say if you think you’re gonna regret quitting when you’re older, then don’t quit. To be honest, if you think college coaches may not like that or whatever, college coaches actually prefer multi-sport athletes as it can show just more athletic abilities. But if you have a good reason to just go to one, then you need to work on it all throughout the year and continue to get better each and every day because it’s your only focus.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
My plans for college athletics are still undecided.
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Seth Elchert RHP / OF / Liberty-Benton, OH / 2026
Football: D-V first-team all-state tight end/wide receiver.
Baseball: The 6-3 185-pound RHP/OF is ranked 82nd in the 2026 class and 23rd among right-handed pitchers.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Every college coach I have talked to told me they love the fact I play more than one sport. That is what they are looking for. Plus, I think it makes me a more rounded athlete and these coaches get to see me doing other things. Taking a break from one sport to another is something my parents always say. It is good for me to get away for a while and not get burned out.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Football helps because it is such a competitive sport that you can’t hide in it. I love the toughness of football and my head coach always talks about toughness which carries over to every sport. Sometimes in baseball you get in slumps and taking a break I think is a good way to come back refreshed.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest thing is the offseason. Currently I play three sports and I try to not disappoint any coaches and try to go to everything which is really hard in the offseason. Probably the biggest disadvantage is I don’t get to work on my skills as much as an athlete who only plays one sport, so my skills might not be as good as others. However, I have had college coaches tell me they like that I am still a little raw and they can develop my skill their way.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would tell them not to do that. I think too many kids today specialize hoping to get a scholarship and miss out on having fun with their friends in other sports. They end up disappointed because they put everything into one sport and may not get some of the opportunities other friends are getting in other sports. Most of the guys I know getting scholarships are really good athletes and it doesn’t matter how many sports they play. They don’t specialize in one sport.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
Right now I am really focused on playing football in college. I currently have three Division I offers and hope to get some more. My goal is to find the right fit and develop my skills which will eventually allow me to play at that level.
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Burke Lillard C / OF / Indian Lake, OH / 2024
Football: D-V third-team all-state defensive back.
Baseball: The 5-10 160-pound catcher/outfielder is rated 359th in the 2024 class and 47th among catchers. Lillard was the ACME State Baseball Tournament MVP last summer leading Indian Lake to the championship.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
I think playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial because it helps me escape from my surroundings for a while. It brings me together with the other people that play the sport. We all want to get better and play to the best of our ability no matter what the cost.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
I had the opportunity to play quarterback this year so my arm had to be taken care of the entire time I was playing football so my arm will hopefully be healthy after a little break from football and be ready for the upcoming baseball season. It also made me keep my strength in check as well, even though it wasn’t maxing out all the time. It made me keep the strength I already had so I could perform to the best of my ability.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest part of playing multiple sports is you don’t really get an off-season to recover. If you play three sports you will always be doing something and you may fall behind on your school work if you don’t put the time in for it.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
If you only want to play one sport in high school I think you need to figure that out in either your first or second year so you can put all your time into that sport. That will help with progressing the furthest you can to stay ahead of the other people you could be going up against.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
When it comes to sports in college you have to work harder than everyone in the room, go to camps for those colleges you may want to attend, try to get noticed and go on college visits. You also have to get in the weight room and get stronger than your competitors. Right now I’d preferably want to play baseball but I’m not against playing football.
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Football: D-IV second-team all-state wide receiver.
Baseball: A Central Michigan commit, the 6-1 170-pound OF/SS is the fourth-rated senior outfielder in the state. A first team Division IV all-stater last season, the 39th-rated 2024 in Ohio hit .384 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 36 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multiple sports in high school has been very beneficial to me. It kept me in shape and I got to have fun with my friends.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Playing football has helped me out as a baseball player because football teaches you how to deal with all kinds of adversity so when it hits on the baseball field I can stay calm and stay focused on the game.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
I would say that the hardest part about being a two-sport athlete is just time management. You have to know how to manage your time effectively and get things done. I really don’t see any disadvantages. I have never talked to a coach that doesn’t like an athlete that can play multiple sports.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would say to an athlete that is thinking about playing multiple sports to just play sports that you have fun playing. Whether it is one or multiple sports, just play whatever ones you want and have fun playing them.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
When it comes to college athletics I am just gonna focus on baseball. I think that playing football and baseball at the collegiate level would just be too hard for my body with all the practices and lifting involved.
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Johnnie Kinter RHP / 2B / Wellington, OH / 2025
Football: D-VI third-team all-state wide receiver.
Baseball: The 6-2 190-pounder is the 18th-rated junior right-handed pitcher in Ohio and 55th-ranked 2025 in the state.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multiple sports for me in high school has made me a better athlete overall and keeps me active and in shape for the other sport.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Football helps me out by being more explosive on the base paths and the mound, and being aware of what’s going on while playing.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest part of playing two sports is being able to balance both of them at the same time. The biggest disadvantage is letting my teammates down by not being there for them.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
If you are narrowing down on playing one sport make sure you are not holding anything back and not leaving anything behind when dropping your other sports.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I plan on going to college to play baseball and major in education with a possibility of playing football, too.
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Devlan Daniel OF / RHP / Indian Hill, OH / 2027
Football: D-IV third-team all-state running back as a freshman.
Baseball: The 6-0 180-pound 15-year-old is a former Future 50 participant who plays outfield and pitches.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
I really enjoy playing three sports. I feel like it is very beneficial to me because it helps me stay in shape, and it helps me also stay in the weight room either lifting for football, basketball or baseball. It is also beneficial because it helps me pick up movements that help me in other sports and also other acts that help in all other sports.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
It helps me as a baseball player because it puts me in the weight room where you are moving weight fast and trying to get very explosive. That’s also what baseball is about, explosive movements like swinging a bat and throwing a ball. It also helps me stay fast and be able to move different directions at fast speeds and change of direction like going for a ball in the outfield and having to change my movement to some other part of the outfield to track the ball. Football also builds pain tolerance and makes it so little injuries don’t affect my playing ability and I can stay in more.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
I would say the hard part about playing multiple sports is time management, especially for me already working on hitting from both sides, right and left. I have to be able to do both of those equally, but playing multiple sports I have to go to practices for other sports and commit to my other teams while also continuing to work on my baseball swings and make sure I don’t lose it. The disadvantages I see from playing multiple sports is staying fresh in all the other sports and making sure you don’t lose your craft while playing the other sports.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would say to them being a multi-sport athlete is the best thing you can do because it contributes to you even if you're not super good. If you're not good at it you're still going in and putting in work and getting stronger, maybe faster and more agile and you might not even notice it. I have only seen benefits. Even if they lose their craft in the other sport, they can still hopefully get it back and be even better because they're going to have better movement. I think playing one sport is good and can help, but you're doing the same thing every time you train. If you play other sports you're putting your body through different movements and building your body up better and better.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
My plans are to hopefully be able to go two sports, most likely football and baseball, but if that’s not possible I would like to go for one, hopefully baseball. I think if it ends up only being one sport in college I think I would have gotten great abilities from playing other sports and making myself better. And if I have to focus on one in college I think I will be even better because I will go from having to manage three to two sports to only doing one and putting all my time in that sport making myself even better.
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AJ McAninch RHP / SS / Bishop Watterson, OH / 2024
Football: D-III first-team all-state quarterback.
Baseball: The 6-2 200-pound RHP/SS is a Marshall commit. The 64th-rated 2024 in Ohio and 27th-rated 2024 RHP was second-team Division I last year, going 8-1 with a 1.02 ERA, fanning 70 and allowing 18 walks in 54.2 innings.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multiple sports in high school helps me most on the mental side of things. It allows me to not overload on one specific sport and helps create a good balance. I can focus on one thing at a time and not burn myself out.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Playing quarterback and pitcher allows me to move my arm in different ways and helps create more athleticism in my throwing motion. It also keeps my arm strong all year ’round.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
The hardest thing about playing multiple sports/disadvantages is not having as much of an offseason as people who play one sport. It gives me less time to get prepared for the season.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would say PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS. It helps you become more athletic and college coaches like multi-sport athletes. Playing multiple sports will prevent burnout and it will make you appreciate your main sport. I was gonna quit football after my sophomore year because I wanted to focus on baseball, but I decided to stick with it and it was the best decision I ever made. I made first-team All-State/Metro/District/League. My high school this year was the Division III state runner-up in football.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I’m going to attend Marshall University to play baseball. Skoooo Herd!
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Parker Corbin SS / C / Cincinnati Country Day, OH / 2024
Football: D-IV second-team all-state quarterback.
Baseball: The Maryland commit was a first-team Division III infielder as a junior, batting .380 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 33 runs, 23 walks and 14 stolen bases. The 5-9 180-pound SS/catcher is the second-rated 2024 shortstop and ninth-ranked senior in Ohio.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
Playing multiple sports in high school has helped me in a myriad of ways. Playing football gives my body a rest from baseball and allows me to work different muscle groups, while also developing physically.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Playing football has helped build my leadership skills. As a quarterback, leadership is an extremely important quality as the entire offense relies on you. The same goes for baseball and it’s extremely important to be a leader in order to achieve individual/team success.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
Obviously, there’s a risk for injury. But the way I see it is I could get hurt walking down the steps at my house. The hardest part about playing two sports is the mental toughness it requires. There are some days where I get home from football practice and I’m tired, but I know that it is necessary to hit/throw/workout.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
I would tell them to play as many sports as they can. For one, it will benefit you greatly as an athlete. But most importantly, it’s fun. You are creating memories that will last you a lifetime, and you're only a high school student once.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I have hung up the football cleats. I will be going on to play baseball at the University of Maryland. Go Terps!
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Eric Geddes SS / RHP / Garfield, OH / 2024
Football: D-V first-team all-state quarterback.
Baseball: The 6-2 195-pound Ohio Dominican commit is the 34th-rated senior shortstop in the state. An honorable mention Division III pitcher last year, the 262nd-ranked 2024 in the state was 9-1 with a 1.30 ERA, striking out 91 and walking 15 in 65 innings.
How do you feel playing multiple sports in high school is beneficial to you?
It’s great to have God giving me the opportunity to play four sports in high school. Having the ability and chance to go to a smaller school and to not have big graduating classes you can really play and do as much as you are willing and wanting to do.
In what ways does playing football help you out as a baseball player?
Playing football is very beneficial in a lot of ways, not only to baseball but other sports and just life in general. The weight room is a very big part for both and football is the time to really put in the work for both sports. There are also the relationships you build together with your best friends. If they don’t play baseball or are not in the same sport as you after football ends the support will always be there in that aspect.
What is the hardest part about playing more than one sport and any disadvantages that you see?
I would say playing more than one sport could be very time consuming. From my experience, you will have to be very mentally tough and strong. Myself a four-sport athlete, I have to balance everything out and make sure I’m getting my work in for the other sports I play. Another big one is the relationships with your coach to make and have them understand that you are in other sports. I’m thankful that Garfield has had very understanding coaches that know that.
What would you say to a future high school athlete who is thinking about specializing/focusing on one sport instead of being a multi-sport athlete?
Personally, I said to myself just burn out. Do as much as you can with your best friends that you have been growing up with all your life. Build relationships and have amazing memories. People say that these are the best years of your life and they are 100 percent correct. These are the best years of your life and the years you will talk about 20-30-40 years from now.
What are your plans when it comes to playing college athletics?
I am committed and signed to play baseball, potentially play football as well, and to continue my academic career studying sport management at Ohio Dominican University.
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