Ian Barnes '15 Recruiting Profile

Hi Coach,

I'm Ian Barnes, a Junior at Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Wa.  I've been playing sports all my life and my parents tell me I'm pretty good and should try and get a scholarship.  My first sport was soccer, and I played it until 4th grade when I started playing football.  I have also been playing basketball and baseball since as long as I can remember too.  My parents say I improved so fast in sports because of my older brother who is 7 years older than me.  I was always wanting to play with him and my dad ever since I could walk, so that is probably how improved so fast.  Both my brother and dad are just under 6' and it wasn't long before I was able to compete and finally beat my dad and brother at basketball.  

I was just measured at 6'5" the other day, and last year was able to slam dunk a basketball, and now  I'm able to really slam it down.  

I started playing baseball competitively on a travel team early when I was 9.  I played two year up until I was in 8th grade, then I started playing at my age level.  My first few years I played outfield, and remember winning the outfield competition in 7th grade.  Then I started growing and when I played at my own age they moved me to the infield, shotstop for 2 years, and then I decided I wanted to play 1st base and have been playing there ever since.  And at 6'5" it's my favorite position so far, well, tied with pitching.  

I really like playing first, not just because I get the ball all the time, but because I get to make awesome plays.  We do have a really good infield, but sometimes they make me work and I love digging the ball out and making that saving catch for the out, it's pretty cool.  My second favorite thing to do is run bases.  Many people mis-judge my speed because Im so tall.  I can usually stretch a long single into a double, and a good solid  double into a triple, and I think because I pitch too, I have an advantage on being able to steal bases.  

Our team this year is really good, we  have a shortstop that should go D1, and a Junior catcher that will go D1 and myself.  As a Junior, I should start at 1st, but there is a senior ahead of me who is 6'0 but weighs 215, so depending on the pitching rotation, I may go from pitcher to outfield to first depending on the situation.  

I feel like I'm the right person for a team who wants an athlete who loves the game, is willing to play where I'm needed, and pitch if need be.  I played quarterback in football and have just recently noticed that after throwing the football all season, I can really throw the baseball now.  Last year I pitched in the mid 70's and when I was throwing my hardest, I was a little wild, but when I pulled back just a little, I had real good control.  My two best pitches are 4seam fast ball and  circle change.  When I pitched JV, my coach had me throwing a lot of curveballs, and I finally was able to make it work, but my dad didn't want me throwing curveballs till HS anyway.  

I'm currently carring a 3.3, but have an overall gpa of 3.52  I will have it up by the end of the semester.  My mom and dad keep asking me what I want to do when I grow up, and I'm still not sure.  Right now, I want to play baseball.  My parents own a business where I work part time, so I do have some options.  

I have an awesome family.  My mom, Denise, dad Derek, brother Jordan, and my sister Paije.  I also have a niece Reylynn only 1 month old.  

I'm pretty close to both my brother and sister for being 6&7 years younger.  My brother likes working on cars, and now that I have one, we work on mine a lot, and now that he's married and living closer to home, I get to see him more.  

My sister, Paije is disabled and in a power wheelchair.  She's physically disabled and growing up I would try to carry her and I guess part of me is that protective brother that just loves his sister.  I would do anything for her. She is my hero and my biggest fan.  4 years ago, she got the swine flu, and was in the hospital for 33 days.  She almost died, that sucked.  But, she kicked it and I've just always looked up to her.  I know that what ever I have to face in life is nothing compared to the obstacles she is facing right now, which has made me a stronger person.  

I hope that wasn't too much information, I look forward to meeting you and playing as hard as I can for you.  Ian