Scout.com > Ole Miss Michael Park makes his decision Story URL: http://mississippi.scout.com/2/535220.html Yancy Porter OMSpirit.com May 29, 2006 Michael Park (RHP, Memphis, TN) - When it came down to it, it really was not that tough a decision."I am firm with my commitment to Ole Miss. I figured it has been long enough. I have always wanted to be a Rebel," added MUS product, Michael Park. What other selling points were there for him to commit to Ole Miss' baseball program? "They got a great thing going on at Ole Miss. They are the top SEC program, and one of the Top 3 programs in the country. That is what I always wanted to do in my heart, play college baseball. They are also getting some great recruits coming in next year, so it is not going to be a three year spurt. They are going to be there for a long time, well after I leave the program. It is going to be a lot of fun." What did the Rebels recruit Michael Park to play? "I am going to pitch for Ole Miss." Michael is also one of the top quarterback prospects in the state of Tennessee, as he led MUS to the D11 (3A) State Championship and was one of seven Shelby-Metro standouts selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association's Division 2 All-State team. He was also a Finalist for the 2005 Shelby Metro Offensive Player of the Year. But it will be only one sport he plays on the next level. "I decided it was going to be too hard to play both. It would be hard excelling trying to be a good pitcher and a good QB or vice versa. I figured to be my best, I really needed to concentrate on one sport. Baseball has always been in my blood, so I am choosing baseball." Has Park contacted the Ole Miss football staff about his decision? "I am actually going to call them this morning. Only my family and a few close friends knew about my decision, so I really have not had time to tell them yet." The Ole Miss baseball program has eyed Park from day one. "I was the first guy they offered for my class. I got offered before the season started, so it has been a while." Who were the main colleges that were recruiting Michael t before he decided on Ole Miss? "Vandy, Memphis, Kentucky, MSU, Auburn, and Alabama. Memphis actually offered me a full scholarship in baseball, which was an honor, but I just had to go with my heart." One does not have to look too far to see that Michael is a big time baseball prospect. -Rated Shelby Metro's 3rd top Sophomore(by Commercial Appeal) -Selected to Division 2(Large) All-Conference Team -Selected to Commercial Appeal "Best of the Preps" -Selected to Commercial Appeal Private Schools All Metro Team -Selected to the Region 7 & 8 TBCA 18 Under Showcase Team at Middle Tenn. State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. -Selected to the 2005 TBCA Junior Sunbelt Team Tennessee as a Pitcher -Selected to the 2005 Super Sophomore Team by Tennessee Baseball Report -Selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association 2005 Division ll All-State Team -Named by the Dulins Dodgers as "one of the Top Players in the Nation in the 2007 Class What about his junior campaign? "I was 10-1 with 92 K's and around a 1.20 ERA. They have not given us our final stats, but I will be getting them next week. Our team started out struggling to get above .500 mid way through the season. We could not stream together a bunch of wins. But 3/4 through the season, we kicked it in and won 8 out of last 12 games. We finished 2nd in our Region, which was a first for our school. We made it to the State Tournament, which was only the second time our school had ever done that. Then we made it to the Semifinals. We had never won a playoff game before, so it was a lot of fun. It was real exciting. I struck out the last three batters to beat Knoxville Webb to send us to the Semifinals. That was probably the highlight of my career. That is when I decided to go ahead and commit. I called Coaches McDonnell and Bianco after the game and told them I was ready." Has Park received any awards for his play? "I made All-Region, but the All-Metro and All-State teams have not come out yet. I think they come out next week or something like that." Grades will certainly not be a factor as Park carries a 3.2 GPA / 26 ACT. Copyright © Scout.com and OMSpirit.com