- October 2014
Personal Statement
My name is Ryan Bland. I live in Blythewood, South Carolina where baseball is the game to play for most of the boys who grow up here. From the time I hit the ball off of a tee, to now, where I hit off of some of the best pitchers in my region and beyond, baseball has played an enormous role in my life. My father, who was a short stop and pitcher at Bluefield College, and my grandfather, who was a 3rd baseman at University of Richmond, have both instilled in me a confidence without arrogance and a work ethic beyond the norm in order to succeed at the greatest game in the world. These lessons, above all others, have allowed me to grow as a ball player, a student, and a person. The game itself, along with some of the best coaches a player could ask for, has also taught me the importance of being a good team player and that there is always room for improvement. Never give up, never stop trying to better yourself, and never put yourself above others. These are lessons I try to live by. It is truly thanks to the support of my family and my faith in our Lord that the game of baseball, as well as the game of life, has been so satisfying to me thus far. My goal, now, is to further my education at a reputable institution and play ball for a program that will take my game to the next level. I am confident that I will achieve this goal.
