Since he’s started playing baseball for Valley, his teammates have seen what he is capable of. Junior Landon Bauer has verbally committed to James Madison University as a shortstop. 

Bauer first picked up a glove at six years old and hasn’t put it down since. 

“Ever since I started, it just felt right. I knew it was always going to be a part of me,” Bauer said.

JMU has always been at the top of his list, so when the recruiting process started for Bauer, he knew where his priorities were. 

“I’ve always liked this school because of its proximity to home and I love the structure of the baseball program along with the campus,” Bauer said. 

The recruitment process can be stressful and may feel drawn out. However, Bauer shares that being positive really helped him. 

“I think mentally trying to be patient and have a good mindset helped me a lot while getting recruited,” he said.

Going into his college season, Bauer shares what he is looking forward to, but also what scares him the most. 

“Being around a new environment scares me the most, because college baseball plays a lot faster,” Bauer said. “But I’m looking forward to building relationships with my teammates and coaches.”

Bauer couldn’t have accomplished any of this without motivation. Seeing his teammates’ potential made him think he could do it too. 

“Seeing my teammates commit and knowing that I could play along with those people just helped me motivate myself to play harder,” he said.

His teammates  only have positive things to say about him. 

Teammate, junior Tal Rose, has known and played with Bauer for many years, and shares that his dedication and work ethic has paid off.

“He’s always working hard in practice, and he deserves everything that he’s 

gotten,” Rose said.

Another teammate, sophomore Cole Schaaf, says that Bauer is an amazing leader, and helps his team in every way possible. 

“He always has everyone on his back and carries the team even through rough times,” Schaaf said.

Bauer not only gained athletic skills, but also strong relationships. 

“The best thing that’s come out of baseball for me was building really good relationships with some of my travel teammates, and all the friends I made along the way.”