Climbing the ladder: Smith taking his game to Division 1, signs with Arkansas State

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Former Senath-Hornersville High School and Three Rivers Community College standout Tyler Smith recently signed with Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. Smith batted close to .400 for TRCC this spring and was the Daily Dunklin Democrat Player of the Year in 2007. [Click to enlarge]

Two years after being named the Daily Dunklin Democrat Player of the Year while at Senath-Hornersville High School, and having just completed a strong two-year career catching at Three Rivers Community College, Smith recently signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. next season.

"He's definitely, I think, a great example of a student-athlete -- the kind of student-athlete you like to have represent your school and your program," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "He's gotten better on the baseball field and academically. He was a great leader for us. He played through some aches. He's really improved over the course of his two years here. ... I think he's definitely ready to go into the Division 1 level at Arkansas State and do a nice job."

As a sophomore at TRCC, Smith hit nearly .400 and drove in 29 runs while hitting four home runs and 12 doubles. He raised his averaged over 100 points from his freshman season and is a leading candidate to be named to the All-Midwest Community College Athletic Conference team when it is released in June.

Smith chose ASU over several schools, including Delta State, West Alabama, Jacksonville State, Chicago State, St. Joseph's and Norfolk State.

"There were many factors that led me to choose ASU over everywhere else," said Smith. "The main things that led me to choose ASU were that ASU is a D1 program in the sixth-best conference in the country and I think I will have the best chance to get seen there and get drafted.

"Another thing was that its close to home and I really enjoyed the fact that my grandparents and parents can come watch me play."

Smith expects to be the Red Wolves' starting catcher next season, and he credits his two years at TRCC for helping him get there.

"The one thing I noticed from my freshman year to my sophomore year is how much I had grown as a player," Smith said. "I went from my freshman year where I was just trying to hit the ball to my sophomore year where I had no fear and knew I belonged on the field.

"I also learned how to cope with failure and success the same way here at TRCC. Coach Burkey always told us about the peaks and valleys of a season and I'd never experienced any struggles until I came here. I learned to not worry about the outcome, but just to play and in the end things will work out."

Smith also credits his father -- SHHS coach Randy Smith -- and grandfathers as big factors in his success.

"He influenced my life greatly," said Tyler. "If it wasn't for him, I don't even know if I would be playing baseball. I can honestly say there wasn't a time in my life where I don't remember being around the game. I remember when I was in first grade I used to run to the ballpark after school so I could take infield and practice with the high school guys. Dad was always coaching somewhere whether it was high school or legion or even in pro-ball and I was always with him taking batting practice or fielding ground balls. I could never get enough of it.

"My grandpa also influenced me as much or more as my dad. He was always hitting me balls or playing catch with me. There has never been a time where I haven't been around baseball."

Said coach Smith: "I'm proud of him -- I'm proud of what he's done. He's just hopeful now he can step up now to the Division 1 level and perform at that level ... I never really pushed him to do anything. He just kind of took to everything on his own."