BRISTOL, Va. – Jared Tate has followed a summer routine since elementary school. After the regular season ended with his youth league or high school team, Tate sought out more competition.
Tate attended camps, clinics, tryouts, and competed with travel league teams in Knoxville, Johnson City and Kingsport.
Those summer school sessions paid a dividend Wednesday as the Virginia High School senior signed a scholarship to play baseball at James Madison University.
“It’s been my goal to go to a NCAA Division I school since I started playing baseball at the T-Ball level,” Tate said. “I worked at the game every chance I got growing up. When I ran out of daylight, my father and I would go to indoor facility to play some more.”
A 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, Tate relies on a fastball that has been timed in the 88-mph range. He attracted interest from coaches at the University of Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia Military Institute before agreeing to join charismatic JMU head coach Spanky McFarland.
“Coach McFarland offered me a good scholarship and the best shot at getting to the next level,” Tate said.
Tate transferred to Virginia High from Sullivan East last season. He compiled a 3-3 record with one save, and posted a 2.31 earned run average with 60 strikeouts for the 15-6 Bearcats.
Following the path of many prep stars in Virginia, Tate participated in the Commonwealth Games in Salem where he continued to impress the JMU coaches.
According to VHS head coach Mark Daniels, Tate has the essentials for success at the top level of college baseball.
“Jared is very athletic, and I think his arm strength will just continue to improve,” said Daniels, who doubles as a pro scout.
Daniels said the JMU staff noticed Tate in a couple games last spring, then continued to monitor his progress throughout the summer. The scholarship package for Tate will cover 50 percent of his tuition, a rarity among economically-strapped college baseball programs.
“Coach McFarland said they wanted to sign Jared as soon as possible, so they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse,” Daniels said. “I’ve known Coach McFarland pretty much my whole coaching career, and I’m excited to finally get a guy in his program.”
Thanks to a weight-lifting program, Tate said he has gained nearly 10 pounds last season. He also grew an inch.
“I had a growth spurt last year and I’m still growing,” Tate said.
Tate said he appreciates Daniels helping to navigate him through the often frustrating recruiting process.
“Coach Daniels goes the extra mile for his players by contacting college coaches and helping to get his guys to the next level,” Tate said. “I think I can help [JMU] as a freshman, but I have to prove myself.”
The Bearcats will also feature 6-foot-4 senior pitcher Dylan Sullins this season.
“I hope this just the first of many signings,” Daniels said.
After he finished signing his scholarship papers Wednesday, Tate spoke of his bigger ambition.
“I love to play baseball and the Lord has blessed me,” Tate said. “My next goal is to pro. That’s my big goal.”
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