Dexter, Missouri - Chandler Young became the latest in his family to sign a national letter of intent to play baseball at the college level. His older brother Chase, a 2013 Dexter graduate, is currently competing on the baseball diamond at Freed-Hardeman University. Chandler will join him in the fall.
"It is awesome," Chandler Young said. "it is something you kind of strive for whenever you are a kid. My brother Chase signed when I was a freshman. I saw him sign and knew at that moment I really wanted to compete at the college level and see how I could perform."
"My dad has coached baseball and has been very successful at it," continued Young. "I have also seen my older brother achieve on the field. It is the sport I have seen my family have success with growing up and I have always felt like the baseball diamond is where I can be very successful.
Longtime head baseball coach Brian Becker has had both brothers on his varsity squad. "Anytime one of your players signs a letter of intent to go to college you are always proud of them," commented Becker. "I am extremely proud of Chandler. He is a kid that has put in a lot of hard work and deserves to reap the benefits of that."
Becker recalled Chandler's ability to deliver at the plate under pressure since his very first high school at-bat. "His first varsity at-bat I had the bunt sign on and he missed a bunt," Becker said. "He had two strikes on him so I called him down to the third base coaching box and said, 'You better find a way to get on base.' and he got a base hit.
Young has served many positions on the field. He has been extremely versatile as a corner infielder, outfielder and a pitcher. He hopes to keep his options open as he heads off to college.
"It is kind of undecided right now," Young said. "I am looking to play a corner infield or outfield position. But I would also be interested in pitching as well and haven't ruled that out."
Coach Becker thinks hitting could be Young's best asset at the college level. "I would say in college he would probably be a better hitter than anything because he has got a really good stroke at the plate and I think he will do well down there."
Freed-Hardeman is an NAIA school that competes in the American Midwest Conference in baseball.
"It is a great place," stated Young. "It is a Christian college and it is a small college so class sizes are smaller and education is a big factor for me. They also have a winning program that is currently ranked nationally. They are second in their conference right now and hopefully they can build on that in their tournament. It is a successful program as well that offers good academics."
Young plans to major in Psychology and minor in Business at Freed-Hardeman. "I hope to open my own practice, contract out to people, obtain customers and build a business."
Shown in the photo seated are from left to right Christine Young, Chandler Young, Marty Young. Standing from left to right are Cody Boyer, Derek Urhahn, and Brian Becker.
