Baseball: Longtime fan turns down the pros to attend UCLA

Matt Ware has been a UCLA sports fan all his life.

As a 6-year-old on a field trip to the UCLA campus with his
father, Ware declared that he wanted to play for a Bruin sports
team.

Twelve years later, Ware is one step closer to accomplishing his
dreams.

Ware will be stepping up to bat for UCLA in the spring of 2005.
 Ware, a high school senior at Quartz Hills High School,
committed to playing for UCLA during early signing period.

Rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 player in California, and
No. 42 of 200 players in the nation, Ware brings along a long list
of honors that will help him make an impact on the program.

“Matt is the type of player schools all over the country
want to get the chance to build a team around,” said Tom
Franco, Collegiate Sports of America scouting director. “He
has the type of leadership skills and ability to make to make any
program better, right away.”

Ware went to UCLA despite interest from Major League teams and
the uncertain future of the UCLA baseball program with coach Gary
Adams retiring after this season. The Philadelphia Phillies had
expressed interest in Ware as a catcher.

Ware, going on four years on varsity and leading his team as
captain, was selected as one of the top high school baseball
players in the world to play in last year’s Area Code
Games.

On top of playing in club games organized by the Montreal Expos,
Ware was initially scouted at the Arizona Tournament his sophomore
year by UCLA.

Growing up as a Bruin fan, UCLA was Ware’s first
choice.

“I am very excited and looking forward to playing for
UCLA. It’s a chance for me to start my career and embark in a
whole new life setting,” Ware said. 

Ware will play second baseman or shortstop on the UCLA team.

“I wish to play shortstop because I’ve got a great
infield game and strong defensive skills,” Ware said.
“But it doesn’t matter which position I play, as long
as I can be on the starting line-up and get the chance to play
everyday.”

Where Ware fits into the UCLA roster remains to be seen.

“(Junior shortstop) Ryan McCarthy is eligible to be
drafted (after this season), so Matt may take his spot, but he
definitely has to earn it,” hitting coach Vince Beringhele
said.

“Matt’s got a tremendous arm, he’s got good
hands and can feel the ball. He can throw it across the diamond and
is surely a polished player,” Beringhele added.

Ware’s skills on the field display great versatility.
“Matt’s best asset is his arm. He has a cannon,”
said Lance Pierson, Ware’s high school coach. “He has
hit 90mph on the radar gun consistently.”

With such an arm, Ware can be seen all over the field, pitching,
playing right field, catcher, second base and shortstop.

“Wherever the coaches need me, I’ll be there,
putting in 100 percent,” Ware said.

Coach Gary Adams agrees that Ware will likely see playing time
at multiple positions.

“Matt Ware is a good, solid baseball player who could play
shortstop or second base,” Adams said. “He is the kind
of player who can step in and play immediately. He can also pitch
and would be a good closing type of pitcher for us. We are all very
happy to have him.”

Ware’s desire to excel has already gained him respect on
the UCLA field. His future teammate, sophomore outfielder Anthony
Norman, met him earlier this year and was impressed with
Ware’s work ethic.

“Out of all the new baseball recruits, I can honestly say
that he is genuinely a good guy and a hard-worker,” Norman
said.

“Though he’s quiet, I can tell that he will grow to
be a really good player and a strong leader as he grows with the
team,” he added.