Vero High senior awarded full-ride baseball scholarship to Wallace State College

VERO BEACH — Charles “Chuck” Singletary IV, considered one of the top high school baseball players on the Treasure Coast, is taking his athletic ambitions to the collegiate level.

Charles “Chuck” Singletary IV PHOTO PROVIDED

Singletary, a Vero Beach High School senior whose skills on the field have caught the eyes of pro players and major league baseball officials alike, secured a full-ride baseball scholarship to Wallace State College in Hanceville, Alabama.

“I’m very excited for him. When he got here, that was a goal of ours as a staff – let baseball be his vehicle to college,” said Bryan Rahal, head baseball coach for the Fighting Indians’ team at Vero Beach High School. “He continued to push hard academically. We think he’ll do big things [in college].”

Singletary, who holds a 3.4 grade point average at Vero Beach High School, said it’s an amazing feeling to see his hard work pay off. The young athlete said he’s staying “locked in,” focused on a mission to rise through the college ranks and … one day … compete in Major League Baseball like his heroes who include the trailblazing icon and civic leader Jackie Robinson.

“I’m thankful for everyone who supported me along the way, and I’m ready to work even harder at the next level,” said Singletary, a Fort Pierce resident who was also awarded $11,000 in scholarships from various community service organizations. 

Charles “Chuck” Singletary IV (second from right) poses for a family group photo. PHOTO PROVIDED

The student athlete, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 188 pounds, is a starting shortstop and outfielder for the Fighting Indians’ Varsity Baseball Team. He transferred from Fort Pierce Central High School to Vero Beach High School last summer, with Vero Beach being a community deeply embedded in the history of baseball. 

“To see where he was then to where he is now is awesome. He’s a great kid,” Rahal said. “He was reserved at first. As time went on, he got comfortable with teachers and peers and got to know people.”

Singletary, who wears the team jersey #1, will compete in the regional semifinal games this Friday and Saturday at Vero Beach High School. The Vero baseball squad’s record this season so far is 20-4.

Rahal said he admires Singletary’s overall character and has seen tremendous growth in the young athlete since he first met him.

“Chuck’s work ethic, leadership, energy and positive attitude has been very good for us,” Rahal said.  

Singletary’s dad, Charles Singletary III, introduced baseball to his son when he was four years old. Since then, the younger Singletary sharpened his hardball skills each year by participating in programs such as the Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program held at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach. 

Charles “Chuck” Singletary IV competes in a baseball game at Vero Beach High School. PHOTO PROVIDED

The student athlete also mentors and coaches younger baseball players every other weekend. 

“He eats and sleeps baseball,” said Singletary’s mother, Charsea Singletary. “He’s the first person in practice and the last one to leave. He’s constantly working on improving his swings.”

The Nike RBI program is an international MLB youth initiative that provides young people in underserved areas opportunities to play baseball and softball. The youth baseball program is held in more than 200 cities and serves more than 100,000 young athletes. 

James Willis, president and CEO of the Nike RBI program in Vero Beach, described Singletary as a phenomenal baseball player. Willis’ wife, April, serves as the vice-president of the local youth baseball program.

“He loves the game of baseball,” said Willis, who is also the president of the Gifford Little League, as well as a football coach and physical education teacher at Vero Beach High School. “It’s awesome to see him flourish. He gives back to the kids.”

Bob DuPuy, former Major League Baseball president during the early 2000s, said Singletary’s full-ride baseball scholarship was a “terrific achievement.” DuPuy, who also serves on the board of directors for the Nike RBI program, said James and April Willis have done a fabulous job running the youth baseball program.

“Chuck’s a fine young man. We are so delighted,” DuPuy said.

Charles “Chuck” Singletary IV PHOTO PROVIDED

“Having one of the kids talented enough to get a baseball scholarship puts a feather in [James and April Willis’] cap. They run year-round extraordinary talent.” 

Singletary has also participated in the annual Hank Aaron Invitational baseball camp in Vero Beach, where young players are mentored and coached by former MLB players and coaches. 

He even got to meet two-time World Series Champion and three-time MLB All-Star Ken Griffey Sr., along with his son, 13-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.

“It was crazy meeting Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. – for real the greatest father-son duo in baseball,” Singletary said. “Being around them showed me what hard work and consistency really look like, and it just made me hungrier to chase my own goals.”

Singletary thanked the Vero Beach High School baseball staff for believing in him. He plans to major in sports management and minor in business administration in college.

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