SPRINGDALE -- Jake Reindl started going to Arkansas baseball games as a youngster, hoping one day to pull a cardinal red cap down low and trot into the field at Baum Stadium.
He'll get that chance after signing a national letter of intent on Friday with the Razorbacks' baseball program. Reindl (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) signed his letter in front of a large gathering of family, coaches and friends at Shiloh Christian.
Reindl, a right-handed pitcher, is one of a large contingent of Northwest Arkansas seniors who signed with the Arkansas baseball program this week. For Reindl, who grew up just a long toss from Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, pledging to the Razorbacks was a no-brainer.
"I was raised as a Hog fan," Reindl said. "I went to all the games. My dad would take me and say 'hey, that might be you one day.'"
Reindl caught the attention of Arkansas coaches last spring, when he led the Saints to a playoff berth in the 5A-West Conference. Reindl, who pitched for the Midwest Nationals program last summer, also entertained a number of other offers including Baylor, Wichita State and Oklahoma State.
But the allure of playing for his favorite team was too much to pass up, he said.
Reindl said his velocity rose from low 80s to low 90s over the spring and summer with extensive core training. He was regularly clocked at 90-91 at various times last summer, he said.
"It's really special going in with a lot of Arkansas guys," Reindl said. "I think it's the largest class they've ever had from Arkansas. I know all of the guys and they are really good.
"I feel like we're going to go in and be the hometown heroes."
Reindl credited a number of people who helped him on this journey, including former Shiloh Christian standout Chris Oliver, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies last spring.
Shiloh Christian baseball coach Moe Henry said seeing players like Oliver and now Reindl sign with one of the nation's premier college baseball programs gives players in the Saints' program a first-hand look at how to take their game to the next level.
"I think this sends a great message to the guys in our program," Henry said. "That message had already been delivered to our guys, and to Jake, by the other players from here before them. It allows you to let these players know that they can achieve goals like that, that this is realistic."
Sports on 11/15/2014