Don Goodes '18 Recruiting Profile

Graduate College with a 4 year degree

Play Division 1 Baseball at a very competitive level

Aspirations:  Full Scholarship to play baseball, preferably in the Southern US

As a military child, I have traveled and lived around the world, among different cultures, different races, and different religions. I had the opportunity to play baseball in Okinawa, Japan on a Japanese travel baseball team. As a 12 year old American, who didn't speak any Japanese at the time, I played on a I5 year old Japanese team.  My coach and mentor, Kishaba-san, took a chance on me.  He taught me the basics, and drilled them into me 7 days a week for two years straight. I only missed practice if I was sick.  I was hooked.  Kishaba-san was killed at baseball practice, and my Mom and I found him at the batting cage, as he died. I did not miss any practices, after he was killed. Instead, I wanted baseball like I never had before.  I buckled down even more, became even more focused in pursuit of my dreams to play ball. I honor Kishaba-san every time I play.  I wear his #80 on my uniform to remind me of what he taught and passed on to me: an incredible work ethic, a commitment to baseball, focus, and team work, as well as his belief in me.  Everyday I step onto the field I work my hardest to live up to my former Coaches belief in me and my abilities to play baseball.