BRECKSVILLE - Being uncommitted in spring of senior year can be a nervous time. But Tommy Barth did his best to not let it get to him.

“I knew I would find a home, I just kept working,” the Brecksville-Broadview Heights senior related. “I tried to work harder than everyone else and saw a little peephole to make it happen.”

While some schools he had been in conversation with were “not offering”, Barth found one that “finally budged” and the sixth-rated senior outfielder in Ohio jumped at the chance.

“I had East Tennessee State on my radar for six months to a year and have talked seriously with them for mayne four months,” explained Barth, who also was in discussion with Kent State and Xavier. “I poured out videos maybe five times a week to let them know I was interested.

“Then I got an offer,” Barth continued. “My parents and I were super pumped. Things were not going well with recruitment and I just tried to be patient. When I got the offer my parents were so great. We packed up our stuff and drove down to see what it was like down there. It was awesome.”

The 48th-ranked 2021 in the state found what he was looking for at ETSU.

“I’ve always wanted to go south,” Barth said of the prospects of living and playing baseball in Johnson City, Tenn. “They’re in a good conference and I like the idea of playing year ’round. I loved the baseball field. Everything there seemed perfect for me. The amount of students they have is perfect … everything. It’s just a great spot and I couldn’t be happier.”

The idea of playing college baseball developed just a few years back.

“I played well my freshman year of high school,” Barth reflected. “I was batting leadoff and I hit .411. That’s when I seriously considered playing college baseball. I started sending out video to college coaches since they couldn’t come to see me.”

More assistance came for Barth in the recruiting process.

“PBR was a huge help, especially during covid,” Barth said. “Their numbers and video really got me out there as a baseball player and college coaches were able to see me to help me get exposure, especially all the numbers that stuck out.”

It helped overcome coaches not being able to watch Barth play in person.

“I would have liked sitting down with all the coches, no matter the level,” Barth explained. “They all have the same mindset, they want winners that will come in and work hard, nothing being handed to them. They have to earn everything. I wish they could have seen me last summer. We really played well and a lot of my teammates lost out.”

But with help from Matt Rosinski with Release Baseball, high school coach John Mutch, Justin Musil with EliteSportsAdvising, hitting coaches Jeff Foltz, David Neale, Dan Smego and Anthony Ruggario, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting Jordan Chiero and Barth’s father Pat, the 18-year-old was able to get the needed exposure and advice while also improving his game.

“I started working out at NST doing everything from agility work, to speed, to strength.” Barth related. “They pushed me hard and that really improved my game. Covid also kind of helped me out. I stayed home and worked my tail off in the basement getting stronger and hitting off the tee. My bat just keeps getting better as I get stronger and faster.”

East Tennessee State took notice.

“They like how I play hard,” Barth said of what stood out about his game to ETSU. “They love my bat. They’re in need of an outfielder who can swing it and they gave me an offer.”

Barth believes he can be a major asset to the Southern Conference program.

“On the field they’re going to get a player who doesn’t give up,” Barth explained. “Someone with a big heart who always puts the team first. I pride myself on that. I’m a player who will do anything to win.”

Barth, who carries a 3.2 GPA and plans to major in business management and minor in sport management, admits when the commitment was official the feeling topped anything imagined.

“The feeling I had was it couldn’t get any better,” Barth reflected. “I was on top of the world. I’m so excited all the work paid off for me. Everyone that worked out with me, or reached out for me, I’m so grateful for all they did.”