The more Harrison Bader thought about his future at Pittsburgh, the more unsure he got. The Horace Mann center fielder wanted a certain feeling, one he couldn’t describe, one that wasn’t there about Pittsburgh.
He felt it about Maryland – he’s felt it for a long time – and that’s where he will spend the next four years of his life.
Bader decommitted from Pittsburgh a month ago – he never signed his National Letter of Intent – and verbally committed to Maryland, where he will join New York Grays teammates Jose Cuas and Kevin Martir, last week. In fact, after breaking the news to the Pittsburgh coaching staff, the only school he spoke to was Maryland’s.
“I’m absolutely thrilled, I can’t wait,” he said. “There is nothing more I can ask for.”
Bader, a gifted senior with thunder in his bat and a powerful right arm, visited Maryland with Cuas and Martir over the summer, but the staff was preoccupied with adding a catcher (Martir), shortstop (Cuas) and pitching. Rather than waiting, Bader committed to Pittsburgh. But as time went on, he realized it wasn’t the place for him.
“It wasn’t by any means a decision I made over night,” he said. “I was thinking a lot about college. I came to the conclusion Pittsburgh wasn’t a good fit for me.”
It had very little to do with baseball, he said. Bader developed a bond with the coaching staff, was impressed by the school’s facilities, which includes the state-of-the-art Petersen Events Center, and got along with the program’s current players. After living his entire life in a Northeastern city, though, Bader wanted a change, which Maryland can offer. He also loves the idea of continuing his career with Cuas and Martir, who he got to know well over the last two summers with the Grays.
“It wasn’t the driving factor to why I chose Maryland, but having them there is incredible,” he said. “Who would’ve thought it would ever work out this way. It’s incredible. The Northeast is going to take over the ACC.”
Led by third-year head coach Erik Bakich, a longtime elite recruiter for Vanderbilt, Maryland is on the fast track. It went 32-24 this spring just two years into Bakich’s nationally ranked recruiting class and beat top-ranked teams Florida State and Virginia.
The facilities have seen a number of improvements and additions since Bakich’s arrival: a 5,000-square foot indoor hitting and pitching facility was built next to Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium, a new turf infield was added prior to the 2011 season along with a brick backstop, new outfield fence and warning track in addition to renovated locker rooms.
The Terrapins begin next year at powerhouse LSU.
“I may have to fly down to LSU to check it out,” Grays coach David Owens said. “To have three kids going to an ACC school is pretty cool. I’m very excited for them. They’re going to a growing program with a great coach.”
Maryland recruiting coordinator Dan Burton was taken with Bader last summer, but outfielders weren’t a priority. Bakich saw him at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Associaton World Championships in Jumpiter, Fla., where Bader was named to the all-tournament team, and was equally impressed. When Owens saw Bakich over the winter, the coach gushed over Bader’s potential.
Once Bader decommitted and expressed an interest in Maryland, the Terrapins reciprocated. Burton attended the Scout’s Showcase and offered Bader. He jumped at the opportunity.
“Sign me up,” he told the coach.