Playing for the New York Nine for two seasons not only greatly improved my skills and confidence on the field, but also helped to make me a better and more prepared man for life off the field. I came to the Nine shortly after I had shoulder surgery, and their coaches were with me every step of the way of my recovery. The Nine’s coaches, and the organization as a whole, are extremely committed to their players, as they truly hope to make all of us better baseball players and better men. Playing for this organization gives you the opportunity to play against the best talent in the country in front of the best college coaches and scouts in the country. What I learned the most, however, was the emphasis on the importance of hard work, dedication and passion in whatever you do, on field or off.