Hazelwood Central Baseball Star Harris Commits to Missouri State

has set the tempo for the remainder of his baseball career.

The right-handed pitcher has taken all of the excitement out of keeping fans in the dark about his future by announcing this past week that he will attend Missouri State University to play collegiate baseball next season.

Forget the National Signing Day show when coaches parade athletes like livestock at the county auction in front of parents, media, teammates, coaches and scouts to announce where players will hopefully spend their next four years pursuing their sport.

Some hard-working student athletes are able to earn a degree while playing a collegiate sport, though it is difficult, given the various demands. But given Harris’ academic commitment, hopefully we can put Harris in this select category.

"This was a tough decision for me to make," Harris said. "I had over 50 schools to look at, but my parents and I narrowed it down to about 10 or 15. It all came down to what was good for me. I'm glad it's over for sure. Now, I can concentrate on my senior year and having fun."

The last three years for Harris have been about as fast as his fastball, which has been clocked in the upper 80s (mph).

As a sophomore, Harris was 8-0 with a 2.49 ERA when he was named Suburban North Conference Player of the Year.

He was 5-4 this past season with a 3.67 ERA, and he struck out 60 batters in 55 1/3 innings. Opponents hit only .194 against Harris. Many scouting experts have said Harris is one of the top players in the area.

With this decision out of the way, Harris can concentrate on his final season at Central. He looked at offers from the University of Missouri, Lindenwood, Western Illinois University and local junior community college powers St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Jefferson Community College.

In the end, Harris said he was comfortable with Missouri State at the academic level and with its coaching staff.

"I felt comfortable that I won't decide my major until after the first semester of my sophomore year," Harris said. "I'm going to have time think and decide what I'm going to do the rest of my life, if it's pro ball or a career."

The fact that 17 players from Missouri State in the past 10 years have signed professional contracts was also a selling point. Heading that group is Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, from Lafayette High School.

"It was a hard choice to make because the schools have great academic programs," Harris said. "But if you don't have the grades, you can't play baseball. Missouri State has a great a program and great academics."

When Harris finished playing club baseball this summer, he took the time to research the schools on his short list of choices.

"I feel very relieved it's over," Harris said. "It dragged on over the summer. I had so many offers coming through the season. We decided to wait until after summer ball to make a choice.

"I sat down with my parents and started going through everything," he said. "I'm glad it's over. I think I'm going to have a senior year like it's supposed to be."

By picking Missouri State early in the sometimes long, hectic and stressful recruiting process, Harris has taken the thrill out of the process for his followers.

But now he can experience his final year at Hazelwood Central like a normal student.