Testimonial Tuesday: Cameron Clonch

Meet Cameron Clonch.  He is a left-handed two-way player in the 2020 class who attends Mooresville High School, and is committed to East Carolina to play baseball.  He is also an entrepreneur.

While the last part may not seem to fit at all with the references to his baseball credentials, the reality is that it makes perfect sense.  Aside from all the time he spends on the diamond, Cameron also runs a lawn care business with a classmate and provides services to what he says are about 25 clients.  

This puts Cameron in the entrepreneur category and by definition it means he has taken a risk in an economic venture by recognizing opportunity.  For a business owner it is all about meeting a consumer need and providing quality goods or services that are then seen by the market as being of value.  Seizing upon a similar opportunity in baseball may have elevated Clonch’s status as a prospect.

Already a quality player as a first baseman/pitcher, he decided to expand his markets by playing some outfield on the corners.  And it has paid off.

Trey Daly, the general manager of Dirtbags Baseball had this to say, “Cameron Clonch is a hitter that coaches are going to find a spot for to keep him in the line-up.  He’s an athletic players who can handle a move the corner outfield position.”

The positional expansion has come since joining the Dirtbags which occurred the summer after his freshman year in high school.  Clonch has shown tremendous athleticism from his 6 foot 4 inch, 185 pound frame quite a bit. The southpaw is also 86-87 from the mound.

It was those qualities that perhaps gave Cameron another opportunity.  He made the decision to commit to the East Carolina in June 2017. Daly commented on the move, “Headed to Pirate Nation next year, Cliff Godwin and staff are getting a guy who hates losing.  From coaching Clonch myself, the fire and energy are contagious.”

On his commitment to ECU, Cameron said, “As soon as I got there it felt like home. Coach Godwin fits my personality.”  Clonch continued to explain the Pirates play the style of baseball he likes he appreciated all the interest they showed to him in the recruitment process..

Coincidentally, his experience as a Dirtbag has been impactful in a number of ways.  Clonch noted he likes playing in the summer with the guys he plays against in high school, an aspect of the organization he sees as a key attribute for its successes.  

Also, each and every weekend he finds himself playing with a high level of talent.  Translation, playing with better players makes one a better player. Another example of Clonch’s simple business acumen.  Don’t make it hard. Just work hard. Something that is obvious among the Dirtbag players as they show to compete each weekend without having the opportunity to practice as a team.  People committed to excellence will do the work to succeed.

Cameron feels being around these types of players aided him getting noticed.  After joining the Bags the interest from some of the top schools in the region and nation was, as he said “unbelievable.”  And he was able to take sound advice and look to focus on schools that would let him explore any of a number of ways to excel as a player. His versatility has its benefits and he wasn’t ready to let himself be limited as to what the next level would bring.

He has brought his outfield skills to his high school team as well.  Clonch says that his ability to play multiple positions adds to the team’s potential.  With him able to move around as needed, different players can fit into the lineup to provide the best combination for the greatest punch. It’s a win-win for his Mooresville Blue Devils.

With an impressive lineup for the summer Dirtbags season, the junior sees his squad with a shot to win every tournament. Having experienced the Elite 8 in Perfect Game events the last two years, Clonch says with the additions to the program has made he feels Final Four showings or better are not out of the question.

This confidence has come not only with experience and seizing opportunities.  Cameron admits he worked hard in the off-season to find marked improvement in all parts of his game. To overcome the “shift” he has often gotten from opposing defenses, he dedicated himself to be able to hit to all fields.  Additionally he committed to a strength training program and to be in better shape with a running regimen. Even his pitching mechanics got attention to make mound appearances more effective.

And it’s that type diversity in “product development” one should expect from an athlete that also happens to be a successful businessman.