Junior D. Lindsay plans to attend UNC in 2016
Playing college baseball is a dream for most high school players; now one talented player from Bradenton, Florida will get his chance.
ODA junior, Desmond Lindsay, has been playing baseball all his life. He played t-ball as a youngster, and always had aspirations to play baseball professionally someday. Now he is one-step closer to his dream.
Over the summer college, coaches all across the country look for standout players who will be big contributors to their sports programs. This summer, an ODA Lindsay got the opportunity of a lifetime.
In July, Lindsay was playing in a “Perfect Game” tournament in Naples. A Perfect Game tournament is one of the most competitive baseball tournaments that players can participate in. Hundreds of college scouts attend and the players feel both the pressure and excitement at the opportunity of getting noticed.
Lindsay plays 1st and 3rd base for Team Impact out of Naples, Fl. In one of the quarterfinal games, the junior hit a single, was walked once, displayed outstanding defense in the infield, and hit a home run.
After the game, a University of North Carolina scout approached Team Impact’s coach and asked questions about Lindsay. He said he was interested in the junior.
Lindsay said, “I was so excited when my coach said UNC was interested in me. I was told that I had to call the UNC scout that night.”
Later that night, when Lindsay called the coach, he was asked to come visit UNC on an unofficial visit. While he was there, he met all the coaches, and they gave him a tour of the baseball facilities and the school as well. The junior loved it right off the bat. Pun intended.
“After the tour, they brought me into their conference room to have lunch,” Lindsay said. “And that’s when they offered me a scholarship.”
Lindsay had a feeling that this offer might be made, so he had time to think of an answer prior to his arrival at the university. Despite anticipating that they might make him an offer, Lindsay said, “I was ecstatic when I was offered the scholarship. I had a huge smile on my face.”
Lindsay received a full-ride scholarship to play baseball at UNC. He plans to play 1st base in 2016 for the Tar Heels wearing number 42 on his back.
Meanwhile, Lindsay will now prepare himself for the 2014 baseball season at ODA with his ODA Thunder teammates. It’s going to be an exciting season of baseball!
Oh yeah. And then there’s keeping up with his grades. Another area where Lindsay strives to hit all the bases.
Good luck, Desmond. We’re so proud of all your hard work and your successes.
