COLLEGE BASEBALL: WAVERLY'S BEEMAN SIGNS TO PLAY AT DIVISION II MANSFIELD (7 PHOTOS) (2023-05-16)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportWAVERLY - Waverly senior Ty Beeman lives in the country, and was looking for something similar in his hunt for a college. He also wanted to be close to home, and Mansfield University checked both boxes.
On Tuesday, during a brief ceremony in the high school’s learning center, Beeman signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Division II baseball program at Mansfield
"I was looking for something small, someplace that looks and feels like around here," said Beeman.
"I wanted some place close to home.
"I was a little nervous about going to college, some college jitters," he noted. "I’ve always loved where I’ve grown up … it’s about the same in Mansfield. It’s a small campus, it’s very nice.
"I wanted to make sure that if I need to, I can get home. I wanted to make sure my parents could make it to every home game," added Beeman. "Being closer to home was one of the main things I was looking for."
And Mansfield, which is a part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, has a rich baseball history.
"And, it’s good baseball," said Beeman. "It’s a PSAC program, and PSAC baseball is very, very tough, there are a lot of good programs."
Waverly baseball coach Kyle McDuffee has no doubt that Beeman will be successful at the next level.
"He is very smart, and he will make sure he’s going to class — that’s No. 1," he said.
"No. 2, he understands the game of baseball, he studies it," noted McDuffee. "He’s a hard worker, a team player, and he’s constantly building up his teammates. He’s constantly talking the game of baseball.
"I think he’s going to do really well at the next level," added McDuffee. "With more coaching, I think the sky is the limit for him."
Beeman realizes he will have a learning curve adjusting to Division II baseball
"I’ll need to work on my hitting," he said. "I’ll see a lot of breaking pitches, and see a lot of low-90s, mid-90s pitching.
"It’s a big step up from the IAC, for sure, but I’m a ball player and I’ll just have to adjust to it," added Beeman.
McDuffee believes Beeman just needs to be himself.
"He shows up early, and leaves late," he said. "If there’s anything he needs to work on, I’m not really sure what it is.
"He calls a good game, he back picks kids, he a good approach at the plate … he just plays baseball," added McDuffee.
Like his high school days, Beeman will catch at Mansfield.
"I’ve always loved catching," said Beeman. "You’re in the action every single pitch, it’s like being the quarterback of the baseball team, and I’ve always loved it."
At Waverly, Beeman was an all-state football player, and qualified for States as a wrestler, but baseball has always been his calling.
"It’s been baseball ever since I started playing.
"I didn’t start playing baseball until later on, but once I did I was hooked," said Beeman. "I starting playing in travel leagues, and baseball quickly became No. 1."
McDuffee said Beeman has been a leader in his clubhouse since Day 1.
"The way he carries himself is impressive," he said. "When things get stressful, he gets his teammates to laugh, but he can also turn it on and off. If it’s time to be serious, he is serious, and the team follows him. He’s a leader."
Beeman will major in Special Education, and Physical Education.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Ty Beeman. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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