Tim Proudfoot looks like a normal, lanky teenager, until he gets on the baseball field. Then everything seems to click for the shortstop on Mount Si High School’s state championship team.
Proudfoot’s ease on the diamond caught the eye of Texas Tech’s baseball program. He recently committed to play for the Divion I school next year in the Big 12 conference. He is one of eight Mount Si seniors who will be playing at a Division I school this fall, and one of 26 students who have committed to play sports in college.
Since his freshman year, Proudfoot has been a mainstay for the Wildcats. It didn’t take long for him to establish himself as one of the team’s top hitters and an excellent fielder.
Proudfoot’s defense and offense were key pieces of Mount Si’s run to the 3A state baseball title. Batting leadoff, he hit .360, while driving in 21 runs and scoring 33 runs. His nine home runs set a school record. He led the team in home runs and runs scored.
At shortstop, he demonstrated excellent range and glove work. He and second baseman Dustin Breshears paired up for a stellar double-play team.
His play earned him honors. He was named to the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association’s second team for 3A, and to the KingCo All-League first team.
Despite all his accomplishments, the call from Texas Tech coach Dan Spencer caught Proudfoot off guard.
The school had offered Proudfoot a 25 percent scholarship earlier in the spring, but unable to make up the difference, he had to decline. So, he had planned on playing at Bellevue College for a year before moving on to a bigger school.
Spencer called and asked him if he was still interested in the Texas Tech if he received a 60 percent scholarship.
Proudfoot didn’t have to think twice.
“I really like the school,” he said.
The school’s size and location seemed like a good fit for him when he visited. And it doesn’t rain every other day down there in Lubbock, Tex., where the school is located.
Despite being a freshman next season, Proudfoot will have a shot to compete for the team’s starting shortstop position. The school’s shortstop, Kelby Tomlinson, a junior, signed with the San Francisco Giants after being selected in the 12th round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft.
Proudfoot said he has heard good things about Spencer, who Texas Tech hired in 2008 to turn its baseball program around. Prior to Texas Tech, Spencer was the pitching coach at Oregon State University during its consecutive wins in the College World Series.
Proudfoot is a sign of Mount Si’s growth, said Darren Brown, a teacher and coach for the school. “Mount Si’s on the verge of getting better and better.”
Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or [email protected].
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