Eagles' Hardison to play for national baseball team

Shelbyville senior Darrell Hardison has made the Under Armor National baseball team and will compete in Florida in December. (T-G File Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

He will be competing in the Pirate City World Series in Bradenton, Fla., in late December.

Hardison was asked to try out for the team after receiving a letter from Baseball Factory, a college recruitment service.

Hardison, a catcher for the Golden Eagles, attended a tryout at Cumberland University in Lebanon in August.

Tryouts were similar to a pro-style workout camp and scouts evaluated players on various aspects of the game, including speed, defense, hitting and arm strength.

Through this process a web page was developed that included an evaluation page and a video of Hardison.

He was one of two catchers selected to make the team.

"It is great to have an opportunity like this," Hardison said. "My dream has always been to play ball beyond high school, and I hope this will help to make that dream a reality."

Last summer he had a great summer for the Twitty City Tigers of Nashville, batting .319 with 22 hits, including 14 singles, six doubles and a pair of home runs while collecting 13 RBIs.

This opportunity doesn't come without a price. In Hardison's case, it's $2,999.

He already has several sponsors and anyone who would like to make a contribution may do so by making checks payable to Baseball Factory.

Donations should be mailed to Darrell Hardison, 300 Ledbetter Road, Shelbyville, TN 37160.