TBR College Interview Classic--Jere Morton

This interview was conducted 5 years ago. Jere Morton was one of our original members as a HS pitcher at Cary High School. When he chose to continue his baseball in college, he chose Lenoir Community College. I wanted to get a JUCO perspective from a player and Jere seemed like the perfect candidate. He may not have realized this at the time, but pay attention to what he says about the importance of grades.

Jere has since achieved his two goals of playing baseball in college and becoming a HS coach (at his alma mater.) I hope everybody that reads this takes the time to congratulate Jere on an important event that happened to him this weekend.

He asked his girlfriend to marry him and she said...................yes! We will soon be able to welcome him into our fraternity..and before anyone asks...yes, she is legally blind!




TBR has been fortunate to have so many quality posters. The coaches, the players and the parents have done an unbelievable job in sharing their experiences; For the sole purpose that it may help someone else.
I believe Jere Morton, a college player, is one of the reasons this board has been successful. I asked Jere if he wouldn't mind answering a few questions that might help a HS player and...... boy, did he come through.

-Jere, give our members some background of your baseball career?
West Raleigh Little League
Cary High School
Cary American Legion
Cary Bulls / NC Diamond Dawgs
Lenoir Community College

- Explain why going to a junior college is a perfect fit for many players
JUCO baseball is great for a lot of guys. Not everybody is ready for Division 1 baseball straight out of high school. Many guys are better off in a JUCO program for 2 years, because it gets their feet wet with college baseball. After two years, I believe a player is either ready to contribute to a 4 year school, or the player will decide to move on with his "post-baseball" life. I think that if a player has any doubts about if a 4-year school is right for him, then the 2-year route is the best option.

- You chose Lenoir Community College. Tell us about it?
LCC has been nothing but good to me. What has impressed me most about LCC is the academics. Personally, I was not ready for a four-year college in terms of academics straight out of high school. LCC has gotten me ready for what it takes to excel in the classroom at the next level. Classes are very small, and I believe that is great because it allows the teacher to work on a more personal level with you. The Kinston Indians (Single A) play here, so it is also fun to go check them out. Kinston, for those of you that don't know, is about an hour and a half from Raleigh. Kinston is also about 30 minutes from Greenville and about an hour from Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach.

- Tell us the differences in competition, if any, between junior college and the other divisions of college baseball?
The talent is about the same, nothing too drastic between the divisions. I believe the thing that stands out the most is the age differences. At four year schools, you have some 5th year seniors, and these guys are old compared to some JUCO guys who are fresh out of high school. Of course there are some talent differences. Division 1 baseball is the bigtime and that is what everyone shoots for, but there is not a huge drop off between levels.

- What was the transition like going from HS to college in terms of education and baseball?
I came from a high school graduating class of near 500 students. Here at LCC, I have not had as hard a time adjusting to the college life as some of my teammates have had. The classes have been similar, but I have found that here in college, teacher's will not "baby" you like in the past. The transition has been fun and I feel as if I have matured a lot as an individual since I graduated, even though it has not even been two full years yet. Living on your own makes you realize a lot, and it makes you grow up a little quicker. Not having mom around to do all the little things really took a toll on me last year, but I am getting by a little better this year. The transition from high school to college baseball has been fun as well. It has been hard, but the challenge has been fun. I look forward to what the transition will be like from a JUCO to a four-year program next fall.

- What advice would you give to any senior wanting to play college baseball?
My first lesson would be to do your homework. Work hard in the classroom, because grades come before anything else. You can't get into college with bad grades, so how do you expect to play college baseball? Also, don't give up. I know it sounds cheesy and overused, but it is the truth. There are times your senior season when you don't think there is a future with baseball. But once you are done, there ultimately is no going back. Don't ever give up on your dreams of playing college/pro baseball. If it is meant to be for you, it will work out with some hard work and dedication. Another thing is, don't count out all options. Take some visits and do some research on everyone, because you never know which place will suit you the best. Good luck.

- Wow, LCC made it to the JUCO World Series. What was that like?
We actually made it to Millington, Tennesee, for the Division 2 JUCO World Series. We beat a very good Comm. College of Balt. County-Catonsville in the district tournament up in Maryland. In Millington, we went 1-2 before being eliminated. We lost to Grand Rapids (2003, 2004 champs), we beat UConn-Avery Point (#2 D2 ranked team), and then we were eliminated by Iowa Central CC. The experience was great, and the level of talent was amazing. Nerves played a big part unfortunately for us, as we were new to that sort of environment. Hopefully we will get back to MIllington for a 2nd time in a row, and we will play a little more confidently.

- Looking back at your baseball career, is there anything you wish you would have done differently?
I can't say that there is. Of course I could have worked harder on my game and in the classroom, but I believe that goes for everyone. I wish I could have won a conference championship, I wish I could have won a state championship, I wish I could have done a lot of things like that... but those honors aren't for everyone while in high school. I reached my goal of playing college baseball and that is about all that I could have asked for.

- Who influenced you the most in baseball and why?
There are two people who influenced me the most. Like most guys will say, one is my dad. He was always there for me when I was young and he is still there for me now. There's nothing more he rather see than for me to have fun playing ball. He has really helped me along the way with certain things here and there, whether it is a confidence boost, or it is a mechanic problem with my motion.
The other is someone who may have influenced me more than any one person. His name is Dallas Daniels. Dallas was in a car-wreck in 1994 on the way home from a baseball game with several other teammates. I knew all of the guys involved as they played legion ball for my dad, but Dallas has influenced me greatly. Dallas was then a 14-15 year old stud pitcher that was playing legion ball that summer. I was about 9 years old so I kind of took baseball for granted, as it would always be there for me. After the accident and after Dallas' injuries, it taught me quickly that baseball isn't promised. It taught me to go out there as it was my last practice, last inning, last game, etc. I still talk to Dallas and his family, and I always carry a memory of him while I play, because you never know what the future will bring.

- Looking to the future, after baseball, what would you like to do?
After my playing days, I want to be a high school coach. I want to be one of the best when it comes down to it. But when those days are even over, I want to make sure I have raised my family right and be very close with my kids and grandkids. There is nothing more important than your family.

- After people meet you the first time, what would you like them to say about Jere Morton?
I would like for people to say to their kids "I want you to be like him". I believe that is one of the best compliments someone can get, is for a parent to tell a kid to look up to you. That is about all I can think of because I try to be strong in the area of respect to others and to the game of baseball.

- Is there anything else you would like to say to our TBR members?
It was a pleasure doing this and I hope ya'll enjoy it. TBR has been a great source for HS and College baseball talk. If you guys got any questions for me about the JUCO route, life in general, or whatever... go for it. I check these boards daily and I love talkin' baseball with anyone. Thanks for your time! - Jere "J4" Morton

 

Thanks again, Jere, for taking the time to do this. You are a classy young man!!

 

I don't believe anyone will doubt your intentions of wanting to become a HS coach. I loved what you had to say about respect; of people and the game.

That is the one commonality shared by all coaches.....you should talk to The "O"...he has coached all over the state and knows everybody. He could help get you started when it's time for that decision. Also, Coach Evans and Nuff Ced would be quality contacts.

 

Excellent post by a true gentleman and student of the game. With that attitude you will be very successful in whatever area you choose to pursue. Keep up the good work!

 

Great interview !!!!!! All of us who have been visiting TBR Prep Baseball for the past couple years have always known that JM is a class act as well as a great player and competitor. This interview only serves to prove it.

I know I'd be proud for my son to be like Jere. Good luck this year, keep us posted.

 

I've really enjoyed my conversations with Jere over the past year.... There is no other young man in North Carolina with a deeper love and appreciation for the game of baseball.

Jere ... keep up the great work !!!!!! It's a pleasure tracking your progress through the college years!!!!!!

"Pops"

 

JM, you sound as if you have your head screwed on right. This was a nice post to read while I'm sitting here listening to the Christmas Music channel on satellite tv, and getting ready to carry my son to a baseball camp. Good luck to you Jere, you WILL do well.

 

Braves, I didn't even notice you bumped this up. I've been busy with finals so I haven't spent as much time checkin out TBR lately.

Since my days at LCC finished, I hung up the cleats and focused on getting a 4-year degree. I was accepted to NC State and will be graduating from there in May '08 with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management - Sports Management Concentration.

I have enjoyed the time at NC State but I still get back down to Kinston everynow and then to catch some Indians games. I must say, I also get down to Kinston quite a bit because LCC is where I met my girlfriend and she is still puttin' up with me today.

I still keep up with LCC's success and it looks like they have another solid team down there this year. Hopefully the Lancers can make it back to Millington, it was a great experience.

Currently, school is finishing up and I will be doing an internship this summer serving as the Senior Legion State Tournament Director. I will spend the summer working closely with the Garner Post 232 team and planning for the Tourney. I also still work with the Town of Cary Athletics Part-Time staff. During the summers, I have helped out with the Cary Baseball Camp.

If you have any questions about me or the 2007 Legion Tournamanet, just shoot me a message.

Go Pack

 

Bump

 

Jere is the best

It is interesting to read this post from five years back and see what has become of this guy. Jere mentions in the interview his desire to become a high school coach. This past season he did that at Cary High and my son was fortunate to play for him.

There is always a debate about how much a high school coach should be expected to do to help his players find a place in college ball. I have been astounded at the time and energy Jere has put forth to help my son's recruitment. He has called everyone he knows in the college game and then some. Most of the attention my son has received over the last year has been the direct result of Jere's tireless efforts.

I have no doubt that Jere is going to become an excellent head coach in the future because has the one quality that is indispensable: he cares about his players.

Best wishes to Jere and Brooke as they head to the altar.