Two-Way Opportunity Points Polley To James Madison

FAIRFIELD, Ct. - The chance to be a two-way player, the coaching staff and the campus all added up for Griffin Polley. The Fairfield Warde junior has decided that James Madison is the perfect college fit.

“They had seen a video from my summer season and I know they saw my video from the Future Games,” the 11th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in New England related. “When they saw me play in person they offered me as a two-way. Other schools didn’t offer two-way.”

After that it was a matter of checking out the university.

“When I went there and saw the facilities they were awesome,” Polley reflected. “The campus was beautiful and the culture and family … When I left it was a lock.”

There was also a matter of assessing the baseball program during the visit in October.

“I saw an intersquad when I went,” Polley noted. “I met the coaches and all three (head coach Marlin Ikenberry, associate head coach/pitching coach Jimmy Jackson and recruiting coordinator Alex Guerra) have been together for seven years so there’s continuity. That’s important. The main thing with the head coach is discipline and I love that.”

Being more than a PO only added to the excitement for the 6-1 155-pounder.

“It came down to JMU and another school, but they only wanted me as a pitcher,” the 24th-ranked New England junior explained. “They like to bring in guys and give them a chance to be two-way. That’s what I always wanted to do.”

Third base is the projected position for the 16-year-old, though Polley believes he can play anywhere if needed.

“They like my athleticism and my projectability,” the sixth-ranked 2023 from Connecticut pointed out. “I have height and the ability to add weight and muscle.”

The recent visit to James Madison was not the first time Polley had been to the school located in Harrisonburg, Va., seven hours from his home in Fairfield.

“Before I entered the recruiting process I’d been to a James Madison showcase with my older brother,” Polley said. “I remember seeing the campus and the field and thinking it was beautiful.”

It was his older sibling, Owen, who had an influence on Polley’s desire to play college baseball.

“Ever since my brother started thinking about it when he was 12, I started considering it,” Polley noted.

Although an injury in high school ended his brother’s dream of playing at the next level, Polley is happy to have college baseball in his future.

“I know my brother’s super pumped about me,” Polley said of his commitment to JMU. “I also talked to the school he’s going to, Stony Brook, as well. I’m just grateful to him and all he’s done for me. He’s someone I look up to academically and with baseball.”

Finance or marketing is the planned major for Polley, a 3.3 student who was talking to a dozen other schools before deciding on James Madison.

“I like the big campus feel and that it has a family feel,” Polley said. “Walking around and seeing all the happy students and all the events going on was amazing. The culture of the school really stood out to me.”

It has Polley happily anticipating the day when college life begins.

“I’m looking forward to the bonds I’ll make and the friendships I’m going to make with my teammates,” Polley said. “I’m looking forward to being part of another family at JMU.”

As for his family at home, a commitment to the Colonial Athletic Association school brings a lot of excitement.

“Every person in my family was supportive,” Polley said. “On the baseball side, none of this would have been possible without coach (Pat) Vigilio at Baseball U. Brian Daniello at Baseball U also helped out with my defensive work. He made me more confident and a better infielder.”

As far as his future playing baseball at James Madison, which next year will join the Sun Belt Conference, Polley believes he can be a major asset to the program.

“I’ll bring both positive energy and a lot of energy,” Polley related. “I do that with my high school team now. I’m a great competitor and will do what it takes to fight to win a championship.”

To have his recruitment over with also brings relief.

“Although it’s fun and exciting, it can be very stressful choosing schools and deciding what I like and don’t like,” Polley admitted. “But I’m sure I made the right choice.”