MARIETTA, Ga. – Most kids only have one dream, and will spend their lives chasing after it. When it comes to Matthew Railey, he’s not afraid to chase more than one.

There’s no question Railey loves baseball. He’s been competing in Perfect Game events for three years now, and has already made a commitment to play at the next level.

Railey loves Tallahassee, Fla. so much that he doesn’t want to leave. Last fall, he committed to play baseball at Florida State.

“I’ve grown up there, and (my dad) actually went to college and taught there,” said Railey about his commitment. “It’s just kind of a home town thing.”

Railey is going into his senior year at North Florida Christian High School, and plays for their baseball team. He had to miss his sophomore season due to a shoulder injury, but was able to play again this past season.

“We were going into the season thinking we will do pretty good, but we got knocked out the first round of regionals so that was a bummer,” said Railey about his high school season. “We were projected to go all the way to state again, (since) we had done it two years before that. It was fun, so we were looking forward to doing that again, but it happens.”

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder is playing for Next Level Baseball 17u this summer.

“This is my second year, and I’m loving it. (They’re) a good group of guys,” said Railey about his team. “(We’ve played in) one other (PG tournament) in the fall, but (usually) I jump around from team to team because of the schedule.”

“I’ve been coaching him since he was about 14,” said Next Level Baseball’s Head Coach Mike Harrison. “He plays the game hard, he’s fun to be around.”

Railey is known for what he does on the field by outsiders, but is admired in a different way by his coaches and teammates.

“He’s a quiet young man, very polite. He laughs, he jokes and has a good time, but he knows it’s time to play baseball when we get here on the diamond. (His) teammates love him and we’re very happy to have him,” added Harrison.

Next Level is competing in the 2013 WWBA 17u National Championship. They won their first game on Friday against the Minnesota Blizzard Blue squad.

This is Railey’s fourth Perfect Game Event this summer. He participated in the WWBA 18u National Championship, the 18u PG BCS Finals, and the 2013 National Showcase in Minneapolis, Minn.

“It was a blast,” said Railey about the National Showcase, “It was fun and I got a lot of good cuts in, (even though) it was kind of a slow start.”

Railey is recognized as a 2013 Perfect Game Underclass Third-Team All-American. He is ranked 124th nationally in the class of 2014, and No. 22 in Florida.

“I’d like to go to the big leagues, (or at least) take it as far as I can until I get hurt,” explained Railey.

Not only does Railey have hopes and dreams dealing with baseball, but he has goals off the field as well.

“I want to major in the music department. I’m not sure exactly but something with music,” said Railey. “I like to make music, producing hip hop and r&b, I do stuff for local rappers and singers.”

At some point, Railey may have to put one dream ahead of the other, but for now, he says, “It just depends on where God takes me.”