I made the Dixie Heights High School baseball team as an 8th grader and went on to have a very successful career. I was all state both my junior and senior years leading our team 3 district championships and 1 regional championship in 2001 which hadn't happened since 1991. My number has since been retired at Dixie Heights and a banner hangs from the outfield fence with my name and number on it.

In order to stay connected with my fans I do my best to sign autographs before and after every game as well sign all cards that are sent to me via throughout the year.

I was recruited by a number of schools including Miami University, University of Kentucky, University of Cincinnati, Indiana university, West Virginia University as well as others.

There's a famous saying: "If you pass the square ball in your own defensive third it must not be intercepted."

Being a able to work with Reid [Corneilus] one on one those two seasons were great he taught me the ins and outs of pitching and what I needed to do to be successfull. My first Two years of pro ball I was under the instruction of John Duffy who was excellent as well. With out those two helping me through out the way I dont think I would have been able to excel as much as i did.

In 2008 and 2009 I was very blessed to be with Manager Brandon Hyde and Pitching coach Reid Corneilus. They both were extremely professional and did a great job helping prepare everyone for the next level.

I'd never allow myself to let myself call myself a coward.