House quits WVU football for baseball

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Record setting former Nitro quarterback J.R. House, who joined the West Virginia University football team this year after spending five years in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system, is giving up college football to return to baseball.
House, a 26-year-old former catcher, announced his decision Friday during a team meeting in Morgantown.
He said he plans to head to Florida after final exams next week and bypass WVU's trip to the Sugar Bowl to participate in workouts for up to 11 major league teams, including the Houston Astros and the New York Mets. He hopes to be signed before spring training begins in February.
"I know he has enjoyed his Mountaineer football experience, but he has a great opportunity in professional baseball," Coach Rich Rodriguez said.
Limited playing time
House has seen limited playing time for the Mountaineers behind sophomore Adam Bednarik and redshirt freshman Pat White on the depth chart. White, who has earned the starting position this season, has became the first West Virginia quarterback to rush for 100 or more yards in three straight games and this week was named the Big East offensive player of the week for the second consecutive week.
"If WVU needed me, and if I felt I could contribute here, I would probably stay," House told WOWK-TV. "That's why I came here in the first place but I feel very limited in this offense."
House took some snaps late in a win earlier this season against Wofford and he led the team's final drive in a victory over Connecticut. Against the Huskies, he completed the first two passes of his college career for 38 yards.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.