Decision Time Getting Closer For Ball

BAY CITY - There are a lot of  questions that Nathan Ball hopes to have answered in the near future when it comes to a college home.

“This spring and summer is going to be big for me,” the number one ranked uncommitted 2023 in the state of Michigan said.

From Mid-American Conference schools to Wayne State to Michigan State, Ball has had talks with a wide range of colleges.

“I went to a camp at Western Michigan that I really liked and I’ve been talking with Akron a little and Eastern a little,” Ball related about some of those he has been in contact with to this point in time. “I train with a guy who played at Western and they’ve seen me play a little bit, so Western would be ideal for me. A lot of the coaches want to see me play in the spring.”

In addition to finding the right home, there is a question about where the 6-4 225-pounder will fit in on the field.

“Right now Akron is the only one that says they want me as a two-way,” noted Ball, a right-handed pitcher as well as the top-rated 2023 first baseman in the state. “Everyone else sees me as a first baseman or corner guy. I just want to hit and focus on that, but if I get the option of being a two-way, I’ll probably take it.”

Speed is one major area of his game that the left-handed hitting 16-year-old is working at improving.

“The big thing for me right now is getting faster and more explosive and showing improvement on my bat speed,” Ball explained. “I’m really working on training to get faster, that’s been my biggest weakness.”

The desire to play at the next level began freshman year of high school.

“That’s when it came to me that I wanted to do this,” Ball said. “My love for the game is strong and I want to play for as long as possible.”

Being part of Team Michigan at the Future Games aided Ball in taking a big step in that direction.

“That really helped me a lot,” the 22nd-ranked junior in Michigan said.”I’m from a smaller town (Bangor Township) and being around these guys going to big Division I (high school) programs made me realize where I have to be to realize my goals.

“Just being around a lot of good athletes has helped in telling me where I’m at, and PBR has really helped me with that.”

Business or sales are potential majors for Ball, who carries a 3.7 GPA at Bay City John Glenn High School.

“I’m someone that off the field is going to work academically,” Ball pointed out. “I know (Western Michigan head) coach (Billy) Gernon, like a lot of coaches, is big on academics and that’s something I can provide.”

The first part of 2022 is going to be huge according to Ball, who will be taking an official visit to Western this month.

“Since I got home from the PBR Future Games, a lot of coaches have said they want to come see me play this spring,” Ball said. “I’d like to have a decision made by summer if possible.

“I kind of want to stay in-state, or at least in the area,” Ball added. “Western Michigan right now is probably number one for me, but I like that Akron is a program on the rise. Western’s campus has good energy and they really develop players. For a MAC school they have a lot of draft picks and they’re usually winning a lot of games.

“The biggest thing I want to do is help a team win,” Ball concluded. “That’s the main thing.”