Wyatt Clark (Blue Springs South High School, 2021) began his playing career as a catcher and last year changed his focus to pitching. The switch is paying off for the right-hander: his fastball is working up to 90 MPH, topping out at 89 at the 2020 Premier Baseball Winter College Showcase, and his curveball shows tight spin with late break. His performance this summer earned him an offer to play at his dream school, the University of Central Missouri.
Congratulations on your offer to play at UCM. Can you share what this means to you?
I knew the University of Central Missouri was where I wanted to go ever since the first time we played there when I was 15 years old. After that experience, I set myself to make this happen. In addition to being an amazing school and baseball program, UCM offers an agriculture degree. My older cousin completed the program and loved it. And, Cole Taylor, who played for Inside Edge and who now is a baseball player at UCM, is in the agriculture program. Talking with him solidified my decision and helped me know that UCM is a perfect fit for me.
That’s awesome and great advice. While everyone wants to play baseball in college, it’s equally important finding a school that offers degrees in an area that interests you. Once you knew UCM was the perfect fit for you, what conversations did you have with the coaches leading up to your commitment?
This past winter, I sent an introductory email to the coaching staff telling them a little about myself, not only as an athlete but also as a person. I told them how much I fell in love with UCM after the first time we played there. I was pretty blunt and told them that I would do anything it took to become a mule. A couple of days later, I got an email back that said they were impressed with my baseball skills and would continue watching me.
We played there twice this summer, and after I finished pitching in the last game, Coach Crookes asked to talk with me. We sat down in his office while the game was going on and he told me that he was very impressed with how I pitched that afternoon. It was a pretty quick conversation that ended with him asking that my parents and I meet him after the game. When the game ended, my parents and I stayed and to talk with him. He extended my offer during that meeting, and I accepted on the spot. I committed to my dream school.
Congrats, again. We all know how much this means to you and we’re excited for you! Can you share a little about your baseball background and how you decided to switch from catching to pitching?
Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in my family it was nearly impossible not to love the game. My dad played baseball in college and started coaching as soon as he graduated. He has coached both softball and baseball at the high school varsity level and is currently the varsity baseball coach at Fort Osage. He loves the game more than anyone I know. It’s been amazing to have him as a coach–he learned the game from his dad, and now he’s teaching me the game. His teachings, along with other coaches, have molded me into the player that I am today.
I started out playing catcher and really loved it. But, as I got older, I also got taller. Eventually, I outgrew the position. I’m 6’5” and that’s just too tall to squat behind the plate. So, I started working more and more on pitching last year. I didn’t catch much during my junior year, and this summer, I made the switch to being a pitcher and corner infielder.
Thinking about your growth from being a youth baseball player to a high school player, what advice would you give to a young IE player?
Listen to your coaches. And, remember that you never know who is watching so always give 100%.
In closing, can you share what playing at Inside Edge means to you?
I love the focus on teamwork and brotherhood. Being a part of IE has given me friends who have became family. Committing to UCM was a dream come true. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches, teammates, and parents who have pushed me along the way.