Fielder to take talents to KSU

He will carry a .375 batting average into the 2006 season at Howland High.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- Jared Bartholomew, a three-year letterman for the Howland High School baseball team, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Kent State University.
He will accept an athletic scholarship and an academic scholarship to continue his baseball career for the Golden Flashes. He carries a 3.2 grade point average at Howland.
"I decided on Kent State because they were the only school that put more work in recruiting to get me then anyone else did," Bartholomew said.
He plans to major in sports management or sports journalism.
"Kent State has a good baseball program and their coach, Scott Strictlin, is in his second year," Bartholomew said. "He came from Georgia Tech."
Had .375 batting average
Bartholomew played right field for Howland as a freshman and has been their center fielder the past two years. He will carry a .375 batting average with a career 10 home runs into the 2006 season.
Howland posted a 12-12 record during the 2005 season, losing 2-1 to Canfield in the Division II district finals.
"I played right field my freshman year," Bartholomew said. "We had a good team. My sophomore year, we were a little down, but last season we started getting better."
He says that the Tigers will have 10 senior lettermen returning next season.
Played for Astro Falcons
"I played baseball for the Astro Falcons last two summers in the Class B League and hit around .375," Bartholomew said. "I love to play baseball and have made some lifetime friendships with guys from Akron, Canton and Pennsylvania."
He says that Bob Boughner (manager of the Astros), Scott Ruark, Don Watt and Ron Taylor have been a big influence for him in baseball.
"They helped me with their college experiences and have answered questions about the game that I needed to know," Bartholomew said.
"My father, Marlin, and Coach Watt taught me about the mentality and the basics hitting the baseball, and that gave me confidence and it's why I've been able to hit .375.
On basketball team
Bartholomew also has been a two-year varsity player at guard for the Howland High basketball team and shoots in double figures.
"We have eight talented seniors back this season and hopefully we'll do what our coaches asked us to do and have a good season," Bartholomew said.
He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletics and a member of the Howland Chess Club.
"My parents have always been very supportive with me while I've playing baseball and basketball," Bartholomew said.
miller@vindy.com