Lane Butler '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Lane Butler and I am 18 years old as of January 9, 2021. I attend Independence High school out of Frisco, Texas.  My goals in life are to be a well rounded person in character, work ethic, and athletics. My goal for my baseball career is to attend a college that will give me an opportunity to play  ball and graduate with a degree that will help me get a good job. 

Academically,  I consistently make good grades. My GPA is currently a 3.67.  My education is very important to me. 

My faith will always come first. My church family and christian fellowship are huge part of who I am and a big support in my life. I attend church pretty much every Sunday and Wednesday depending on my school and baseball schedule. I believe this helps keep my grounded and to stay the course in the life I want to live. I surround myself with friendships that will help encourage me along this path. 

In my spare time outside of baseball and school, I serve in a national organization called Young Men's Service League, or YMSL. About 2-3 times a month my mom and I go out and do service for other people or for those in need. One such service project I have participated in, and one of my favorites, is called study buddies. This service project is a mentoring and tutoring program where I go to an apartment complex nearby and hep tutor and mentor elementary age students. The most recent project I participated in was through a ministry called New Hope. My mom and I went to East Dallas with a group of 4 other people where we brought gently used furniture to a single mom of four living in a one bedroom apartment. This apartment complex was run down. Her apartment had standing water in it due to a plumbing leak. There was an awful smell in there due to the fact that this was not being addressed by the landlord.  We spent five hours in her apartment while she was away furnishing her with a bed, dining table, dresser, and furniture to put her stuff in and on. I tell you all these details because this one was  a big one for me. The highlight of the service project was watching this woman's reaction as she came in to see her new home. She was overcome with joy as she saw the two lamps in her unlit bedroom and said, " A real lamp". I am extremely thankful for my life and what I have and this was a great reminder to not take that for granted.  Serving in YMSL has opened my eyes even more to the importance of serving others and the impact it has on them as well as on me. 

For baseball, I have played since I was seven years old. Through the years, I have grown better at the game and closer to it as well. I play on a showcase team and started as a freshmen on varsity. On both teams, I am the lead off batter and play outfield as well as middle infield.  My coach at the high school has two optional workouts each week. Not only do I attend those at 6:30 am but I have led the charge on building a small group of us who meet on the other days up at the high school to run, stretch, or just swing a bat. 

In closing,  I want you to know this about me. I play ball because I get to play not because I have to or because my parents make me play.  My parents are my biggest supporters and have encouraged and loved me through my good days on the field as well as the days where I could have done better. Anytime I am given the opportunity to get better I take it. I play this game not as a hobby but as a building block to my life.