Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Inside the Recruitment: 2019 Catcher Mason McLeod Picks Notre Dame

November 30, 2016



By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

2019 catcher Mason McLeod (Greensburg HS) committed to Notre Dame earlier this week.  The 6-foot-3, 185 pounder was a member of Team Indiana at this year's Future Games. 

PBR: Ultimately, why did you choose to commit to Notre Dame?

McLeod: I chose Notre Dame because of the feeling I got while I was on campus. It was the first school I visited and it stuck with me throughout my recruiting process. I felt like I was at home and I could easily see myself on campus in a few years. The hospitality of the coaching staff and players was great. They were very easy to get along with and we bonded quickly. The baseball program at Notre Dame competes at a high level and plays in one of the major conferences. Notre Dame also has a very good business school in which I’m looking to major in. It was all around the perfect fit for me. 

PBR: Where did they first see you compete?

McLeod: They first saw me play at the PBR Future Games at Grand Park. 

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

McLeod: I was also considering West Virginia and Arizona State. 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult? If y

McLeod: If you would’ve asked me last year at this time if I would’ve been committed to a school, I most likely would’ve answered no. After having a good freshman year of high school baseball, I started getting some looks from schools around here. While playing summer baseball at Lake Point in Georgia, I gained a few more looks. Once I received the invite to the PBR Future Games, I didn’t really know what to expect. The guys on the team were easy to talk to and it made me relax and just have fun. After the event, bigger schools started contacting me and I was surprised to receive all of the attention. My commitment was not really expected, but I’m extremely happy with my decision! 

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career after HS?

McLeod:  First off, I was looking for a great school that has a degree that I’m interested in. I was also looking for a school with a great coaching staff that can maximize my baseball potential in the best way. Along with that, I wanted to surround myself with a group of guys that pushed me to get better everyday and I saw all of this at Notre Dame. 

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you?  Was there a particular game or event you feel turned the corner for you?

McLeod: The recruiting process really started to heat up after the PBR Future Games. I can’t really pick out one game that changed everything. It was mainly just summer baseball and the Future Games that helped me the most. 

PBR: At what point did you realize you were a college caliber player and become serious about taking your game to the next level?

McLeod: I’d say when I was about 13 years old. That’s when my summer team started playing in more competitive tournaments and I loved the competition and seeing the best there is. 

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in Indiana, and why?

McLeod: Zach Britton is the best player I've faced. He goes to Batesville High School which is my school’s rival. We played each other three times this spring and I learned a lot by watching him. It helps that he is also a catcher so I can pick up tips from him that I may not know. He is a very good baseball player and I wish the best of luck to him next year at Louisville. 

PBR: What advice would you give young baseball players striving to get where you are at?

McLeod: My advice would be to stay humble and to never get down on yourself. The more you work at the game, the better you will be. Baseball is a sport that is meant to be a lot of fun and you should enjoy every practice and game you are in. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

McLeod:  My most memorable moment in my baseball career was winning sectionals with my high school team. Our team hadn’t won sectionals in a few years and everybody was hungry for a sectional championship. We all put in a lot of work and it paid off in the end. 

PBR: Preview your high school season for us.  How do you feel your team will be?  What are your expectations and goals?

McLeod: We lost a couple key seniors so that will definitely be a challenge for us. Our core guys are returning and we are getting a few freshmen that will really help us out. I’m excited to see what the season holds for us and we will all be after another sectional title! 

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer?  What has been your most memorable experience with them?

McLeod: I play for the Indiana Prospects during the summer. My most memorable moment with them was this past summer in the quarter final game of the Cincy Flames Summer Classic. We were down 7-0 in the bottom of the third inning. We got the bats going and rallied back to win 8-7 in nine innings. 

Related News