April 30, 2010

Keegan Dale (INF) ... A three-year letterwinner at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Calif. ... Hit .480 with a .469 on-base percentage as a junior ... Earned second team all-league honors in 2009 ... Hit .511 with a .569 on-base percentage during his sophomore season ... Did not commit an error and was named first team all-league ... A member of the Seattle Mariners scout team and played on a pair of showcase teams.

Q: What made you so interested in UNLV? What was your biggest attraction to the school and the team?

UUNLV seemed to be a perfect fit for a variety of reasons. Location was one thing that I was looking for, and being that I am from Riverside, the University of Las Vegas served as a school that was perfect for me to feel at home. Another deciding factor for me was the support that was displayed and talked about during my visit at the school. Every one of the baseball players had an exceptional amount of support both on the baseball field and in the classroom. These things helped me feel confident about what to expect of the college experience. I feel that I could succeed both in the classroom and on the baseball field at UNLV.

Q: Tell me how it felt to sign your letter of intent? What was that experience like for you, your family and your friends?

When it finally came time to sign my letter of intent I was nervous. The thought of making a decision that will impact the rest of my life crept into my mind. However, once my name was on the paper I felt relieved and excited. Along side of me, I had my mom and dad. My mom was very proud and my dad was just happy to see me doing something productive.

Q: Now that you have signed, what is your goal for your senior season?

Now that I have signed to UNLV I am looking forward to being able to relax and play my senior year of baseball. It is going to feel nice to be able to play hard and really enjoy my senior season with my teammates. Along with enjoying my final year of high school, I look forward to trying to accomplish some of the lofty goals that I have set for myself and upholding the expectations that my baseball team has. Another important aspect that I plan to work on throughout my senior year is to work on leading a young team.

Q: What are your expectations once you join the UNLV team next year?

Coming into UUNLV as a freshman I have no idea what to expect. I am hoping to come into a program that competes each and every time they step onto the field. Along with competing on game day. I also expect that there is going to be intense competition on the practice field. Coming into my freshmen year I am expecting to learn the game in a way that I can better myself.

Q: What's the thing you enjoy most about baseball and why?

The one thing that I enjoy most about the game of baseball is experiences that it presents. To me baseball has taught me an abundance of different things. Things from eye hand coordination, to how to interact with others. I believe that baseball has shaped the life I live and the person I am today. The experiences that you deal with through the game of baseball cannot be measured or compared with anything else.

Q: Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

The most influential person in my life is my dad. Ever since I was little he has pushed and taught me to be the best man I could be. Along the way he has also been one of my biggest supporters and teachers. After every game whether I played good or bad he would critique my play and do what he could to better me. He is a guy who wants what is best for the people he loves and does what he can to support me in reaching my potential.

Q: What are some of the things you enjoy doing when you're not playing baseball?

In my free time when I am not playing baseball or doing school work, I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. Whether I am running around doing something or sitting around watching a movie I find a way to enjoy myself. While I am with my friends we entertain ourselves through playing various sports and playing poker. On the other side, while I am with family we enjoy playing board games

Q: Are you a superstitious person? If so, what are some things you have to do every day or before a game?

For the most part my superstition is minimal. There are not any crucial or mandatory routines that I must go through to be ready to play. However, I do have some superstitions about where I hit the label on the bat. It must be facing up, for some reason I believe it does something to improve my performance. Also, when I get on a hot streak or I am playing well, I will try my best to not change anything that I am doing. I try to keep everything from the socks I am wearing to my pre-game routine the same.

Q: What is something that most people don't know about you?

One thing that most people do not know about me is that I started out playing soccer. When I was only four I began to play soccer and it grew to be my first love. As I got older I became more interested in baseball. When I finally started playing baseball I was eight years old. I never played tee ball. After playing baseball for three years I gave up soccer and turned my full attention to baseball.

Q: If someone asked a good friend of yours to describe you, what do you think they would say?

If someone were to ask one of my good friends to describe me, I believe they would say that I am a funny and calm person. However, once I am comfortable and care about a person I go out of my way to help them out. They would also say that I am an extremely giving person. Another quality that they would tell you that I possess is that I am very competitive. They say I cannot even enjoy playing a game if I am not winning.

Q: Are you someone who has been active in the community? If so, what are some of the things you have done in the past?

I have done several things to help people in my community. I have umpired for Orange Crest Little League. I have helped my mother, who is a first grade teacher, in her classroom many times. I have volunteered in various ways through attending my church, The Grove. We have fed the homeless and bought Christmas gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated.

Q: I assume that playing Major League Baseball is a goal of yours, but what else would you want to do once your playing days are over? Do you know what you'd like to study at UNLV?

I want to be a Physical Therapist. I would like to study kinesiology at UNLV for my undergraduate work. Then I would like to go on to get my masters degree in physical therapy.