By Laura Amato
Garrett Crowley has it all planned out.
The former St. Francis Prep pitcher committed to Fordham University earlier this month, just a few weeks removed from deciding to take a prep-school year next fall.
It’s a schedule Crowley isn’t just excited about, but one he’s thankful for, certain it will help him improve, both on and off the field, with a step-by-step plan.
“My dad and I thought it’d be a better idea for me, both athletically and academically, to go to prep school for a year,” Crowley said of the first part of the plan. “That was just the road that we thought would be the most beneficial for me.”
Crowley, who is playing baseball for the Midville Dodgers this summer, visited Fordham and immediately knew that he’d found the perfect college program for him.
“I visited the school a week ago and I really fell in love with it,” he said. “Of all the schools that were interested in me, this one just made the most sense. The facilities and the coaching staff — everything was great.”
The hometown location also played a big part in Crowley’s decision. The chance to compete at the next level just a few miles away from where he grew up was too good of an opportunity for Crowley to pass up, and he’s excited for his family to see him compete in a Rams uniform.
“My grandfather is a big fan of mine,” Crowley said. “He’s always coming to watch me pitch, so he can still do that when I’m pretty close to home. I just liked everything I saw while I was on campus.”
Crowley’s goal is to work his way into the Rams’ starting lineup when he gets back to the Bronx.And so far this summer, he’s put up the kind numbers that have helped improve his confidence on the mound.
The southpaw tossed nine innings earlier this summer, racking up 18 strikeouts and giving up just four hits and one run.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Crowley said of his summer schedule. “It’s very busy, but it’s more time for us teammates to bond and for us to get out on the field and play some more.”
Crowley has a year to wait before he can head to Fordham, but he’s still confident in his decision to attend prep school. After all, he’s still trying to achieve his on-field goals.
“It just secures where I’m going,” Crowley said. “It gives me something to look forward to while I’m working to get better, too.”
Crowley knows there will be plenty for him to do during the prep season — and even this summer — but, as with all things, he’s got a plan for that as well.
“I want to increase my velocity and I want to focus on my change-up,” Crowley said. “My change-up needs to get better and my velocity has to get higher. I really think I can compete if I do both of those things.”
Crowley is excited for whatever comes next and each game on the schedule represents another opportunity to get better. He loves baseball, he’s happy with his plan and — most important — he’s ready to put his best pitch forward.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Crowley said. “I know it’s going to be hard work, but I’m looking forward to getting better as a player and a person.”
