Shober thinking big with Valparaiso

Ryan Shober figured there is nothing better than learning from guys who competed against the best.

So, the Fremd senior shortstop made a verbal commitment Sunday to play Division I baseball at Valparaiso University for ex-big leaguers Tracy Woodson and Brian Schmack.

Woodson played on the Dodgers' 1988 World Series champions in his five-year career. Schmack, a Rolling Meadows graduate, pitched in 11 games for the 2003 Tigers.

The Crusaders were 22-34 in their first season with Woodson as the head coach and Schmack as an assistant.

"Getting a chance to meet him (Woodson) and listen to his pitch and what he has to say about the game of baseball and his plans for Valparaiso," Shober said of the reasons that swayed him over an offer from Eastern Illinois and interest from Penn State and Northwestern.

"As a freshman I'll come in and get a chance to play. I'll be able to be there three or four years and pick his brain and gets as good as I can to hopefully get drafted someday."

Shober was promoted to the Fremd varsity midway through his sophomore year. Last year he hit .286 with 14 RBI and 11 stolen bases and is regarded as one of the state's top defensive shortstops.

Buffalo Grove's Ryan O'Gara and Steve Godawa and Prospect's Will Hagel are freshmen at Valparaiso. Rolling Meadows senior Kyle Gaedele, who played against Shober growing up, committed to the school last month.

"He had the same idea, these coaches down there have got their act together," Shober said of a conversation with Gaedele a couple of weeks ago. "Five years ago you wouldn't know much about Valparaiso baseball.

"In the next five years these guys are going to be bringing their own kids in and they've got some guys they can do damage with."

Shober, who has a 3.4 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and scored 26 on the ACT, wants to study education in hopes of becoming a high school teacher and coach.

And he's glad he won't have to worry this spring about his future.

"That's huge," Shober said. "The majority of kids don't get a chance to do an early signing.

"Now I can go out and try to win some games and have fun."