Coal City – As Michael McKinney posed with a group of Sophia little leaguers Wednesday it was a moment of reflection. He remembers what it was like at that age.
“That was really cool,” McKinney said. “It brought back a lot of memories. I always had dreams of playing college baseball and it seems a little unrealistic to some people. But every day I just worked for it. Even at that age it’s what I wanted to do.”
On Wednesday, surrounded by teammates, classmates, coaches and family, McKinney made that dream a reality, signing his letter of intent to play college baseball at NC State.
While the list of suitors was long and included programs such as West Virginia, Coastal Carolina and Clemson, NC State felt like the right fit.
“I really like the coaches and it was a nice atmosphere and they’re really good,” McKinney admitted.
Though his path to NC State was an unusual one.
After his sophomore season was canceled due to the pandemic, McKinney was proactive in his own recruitment using the tools at his disposal to garner recognition. It worked.
“Two years ago, around the time Covid first started happening I started posting Twitter videos,” McKinney said. “I started posting stuff on Twitter so I could get a bunch of views and stuff for people and I started getting attention from that.”
After a few months McKinneytook to his Twitter account to commit to the Wolfpack in July of 2020, giving him the opportunity to put his recruitment to bed. It also allowed him to focus on the 2021 season, a memorable one as he secured first-team all-state honors. “Magic Mike” as he was nicknamed, was on the scene.
“Actually it was a nickname I was given by one of my coaches when I was probably 13,” McKinney chuckled. “The crazy plays they said I made at shortstop contributed to it. When I was 13 or younger every time I’d leave the game I’d always have my shirt off too so it kind of went hand-in-hand.”
Before McKinney sets out for Raleigh he’ll have some unfinished business to attend to. Despite helping guide the Patriots to their first state tournament appearance since 2014 last season, he was disappointed by the result – a loss in the Class AA state semifinal. It’s provided some motivation on the way out.
“Definitely the big goal is to finish what we didn’t last year,” McKinney said. “I feel like we kind of let everyone down a little bit. We’ll be back for that, but I’d just like for us to have a good season. If at all possible I’d like for us to go undefeated.”
There will be those that doubt the Patriots’ chances of winning the state title, but that’s nothing new for the senior. All of his life he’s had people tell him his dream of playing DI baseball was just that but now he’s realized it. So as he hears those doubts he’ll keep the same mentality he’s carried since he was the same age as the wide-eyed little leaguers that lined up to take a picture with him on Wednesday.
“Oh, I heard doubts a lot” McKinney said. “Especially from here because it doesn’t happen that much. If I had any advice for any kids it’s don’t let somebody tell you you can’t do something. That’s just a lie.”
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94
Independence’s Michael McKinney makes it official. He’s heading to NC State. pic.twitter.com/AY8gVU0ig3
— Tyler Jackson (@TJack94) November 10, 2021
A couple of local celebrities taking time out for the next generation. pic.twitter.com/KMR8AgwHc9
— Tyler Jackson (@TJack94) November 10, 2021