quote:

Originally posted by Tom Harrington:
USC lands Va. star
By John Whittle, Staff Writer
Posted Jul 8, 2009
Copyright © 2007 TheBigSpur.com



After a recent string of in-state commitments, an out of state gem made his verbal pledge to South Carolina last week. Utility player Patrick Harrington of Virginia Beach, Va. became a Gamecock with a phone call to associate head coach Chad Holbrook from the World Wooden Bat Association tournament in Atlanta, Ga.

Ranked the No. 107 prospect in the country regardless of position by PerfectGame CrossChecker, Harrington is another in a line of Virginia standouts that have made an impression at South Carolina or are looking to etch their name in the record books.


Former USC outfielder Michael Campbell hailed from the Commonwealth and left his mark during his four-year career. Rising sophomore, and former summer league teammate, Jackie Bradley, Jr. is a rising star in the Southeastern Conference.


With statehood brethren Ethan Carter and Tyler Webb on their way to campus in August, Harrington is continuing the tradition of highly-touted players from Virginia becoming Gamecocks.


Despite interest from a who’s who of college baseball programs and offers from many of the top schools in the southeast, Harrington, like most of the recent commitments, cited Carolina Stadium and the coaching staff as the key to his decision.


“I love the facilities,” Harrington said. “The coaches there are great.”


While he has a great relationship with the Carolina coaching staff, Harrington also has a bond with Bradley.


The rising senior at Kellam High School took notice of the impact which Freshman All-American Bradley made in Columbia this season but he strives to do better – to do better in everything from summer league on.


“Jackie Bradley was the first to get me to start looking at the Gamecocks,” Harrington said. “He’s a great ball player and plays his heart out. I look up to him but I try to be better than him. He had a great summer last year and I’m just trying to repeat what he did, or do better.”



Don’t take those comments as arrogance or condescension towards Bradley, the right-hander has nothing but admiration for the current USC star. It is Bradley who is “trying to find a good football game” for him to come to this season for his official visit.


In fact, Harrington exudes nothing but a humble attitude when talking about his lofty national ranking.


“I don’t really pay any attention to that stuff,” Harrington said. “I just try to be the best player I can be and do my best for the team. I don’t think about it at all.”


Harrington was a standout performer in a showcase tournament in Minnesota last month while he continues to light up the WWBA tournaments in Atlanta, Ga. both this week and last.


Recruiters are still trying to muscle there way in but Harrington is strong in his pledge to South Carolina.


One of the best aspects of his game that Harrington said the USC coaches like about him is his versatility. The 5’10” 180-pound star can catch, play any of the outfield positions, and more than hold his own at second or third base.


“I’m just a utility player,” Harrington said. “I love playing all the different positions whether it’s catcher, infield, or outfield. I don’t care what I do at Carolina. They want me to play everywhere and that’s what I want. I like moving from position to position.”


With a catcher’s pop time of 1.93 second and a 60-yard dash in 6.80 seconds, Harrington has the skills to be an ultra-athletic catcher. He also has the mentality.


“Playing catcher you really have to be willing to work hard and sacrifice for the team,” Harrington said. “You have to get in the dirt and block curve balls, frame fastballs, and just work behind home plate.”


Regarded as one of the top players in Virginia, Harrington said the key to becoming a baseball player isn’t necessarily natural talent but putting in the time and effort to becoming great.


He wanted USC fans to know he will bring that attitude with him to the field every day – especially when he arrives to Columbia.


“I’m just a hard worker,” Harrington said. “I won’t let you down; trust me.”


A rising senior, Harrington will sign his letter of intent in November and enroll in school the fall of 2010. He will see his first action on the field in a Carolina uniform in the spring of 2011.

quote:

Originally posted by Papelbon:
Did Ayers and Cujas sign fairly recently? First I've heard of that