Nolan Schanuel is a retired SFCBL Boynton Beach Buccaneer, but he is far from retired from baseball. The first baseman and right fielder played at Florida Atlantic University, is a recent graduate, and was named a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the best amateur baseball player in the country. 

Schanuel played on the Bucs during his time in the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League. Playing in this league provided him with an incredible platform in which he was able to showcase his skills and compete against talented players from various colleges. He loved the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that existed within the league as well as the connections he was able to build with his teammates. He said there was nothing better than playing in South Florida and it made for a very memorable experience. 

Over his time at FAU, his batting average was .385 with 46 home runs and 176 RBIs. While Schanuel said closing out his college career is bittersweet. He feels “an immense sense of pride and accomplishment for successfully navigating through [his] academic and athletic pursuits.” Moving past this chapter in his life “marks the culmination of years of hard work, unforgettable memories, and personal growth.” He has enjoyed everything that FAU had to offer to him and is very sad to leave his teammates, coaches, and the “vibrant college environment”, but is excited about what lies ahead. 

Schanuel is projected to be drafted in the first round of the MLB draft according to MLB.com. He is filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of nervousness as this new chapter is quickly approaching. He says, “The thought that everything I’ve dedicated my time and effort to might finally be within reach is incredibly thrilling.” His journey was a long one filled with “relentless hard work, unwavering dedication, and the support of my coaches, teammates, and loved ones.” Schanuel started playing baseball at a very young age and “quickly fell in love with the game.” He “has spent countless hours practicing and refining [his] skills, attending training camps, and competing in various leagues and tournaments. Each step of the way, [he’s] embraced the challenges, learned from setbacks, and continuously pushed [himself] to improve.” Which has clearly been paying off!

A normal training day for Schanuel can look a little something like this: He starts early with physical workouts, and strength and conditioning exercises to improve his overall fitness and endurance. Then he moved on to honing his skills through batting practice, field drills, and pitching sessions. Mental preparation is also a crucial part of his game, so he dedicates his time to studying game strategies, analyzing videos of his performance, and working on his mental focus and visualizing techniques. 

Although Schanuel’s life is extremely busy with baseball, especially right now when he does get some off time he loves spending time with his family and friends. Balancing baseball and other hobbies is very important to him, so he can be seen fishing, going to the beach, watching movies or sports, and participating in other recreational activities. He also likes to take time to relax and for self-care to “recharge and stay mentally sharp.” 

We wish Nolan the best of luck in the future and hope he knows that the SFCBL is always rooting for him!