Tom Popadak signs letter to play at Ohio St.

Teammates Andy Dobson will attend Duquesne and Greg Williams will go to Baldwin-Wallace.

By WILL HANLON

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORTER

WARREN — Every time Warren Harding’s senior pitcher Tom Popadak steps on the mound, he follows the same routine.

“First thing I do, I walk out until I hit the chalk, then I take a light jog, grab the ball with my right hand, put my glove under my right arm and rub it up a little bit. I stand behind the mound, lick my fingers, rub it on my pants, and then touch my hat and get on the mound.”

Does it work?

“Every time,” Popadak said with confidence.

It seemed to work well enough over the years, as Popadak signed a letter of intent Thursday with Ohio State. Geared up in his Ohio State shirt, Popadak sat between two of his teammates, who also made their college choices known.

Andy Dobson will attend Duquesne University and Greg Williams will go to Baldwin-Wallace College.

Junior season success

In 2006, Popadak finished his junior season with a 7-2 record, boasting a 0.96 ERA and striking out 96. He was named first team All-Steel Valley Conference and first team All-Ohio.

Popadak started off this season with a 2-2 record, holding a 1.64 ERA with 27 strikeouts. After just 10 games, however, his season ended following an appendix removal operation.

Popadak proclaimed himself fully recovered.

“I’m back to 100 percent right now,” Popadak assured.

“Tom’s had an outstanding career here at Warren Harding. Kids like that don’t come through our program very often,” coach Ed Shaker said.

Since he was only 2 years old, Popadak and his father Mike played ball together, playing catch and taking batting practice. By the time he was 5, he was able to turn double plays, his father said.

And now, years later, the 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-hander is one of the top pitchers in the area, as The Buckeye Scout News ranked him 18th in their class of 2007 top 100 players in the state.

His pitching repertoire includes a curveball, splitter, circle-change and fastball that has reached a top speed of 93 mph.

Life-long goal

And now, he’s following his life-long goal of going to Ohio State.

“I’ve wanted to go there my whole life. It’s just the dream,” Popadak said.

Choosing Ohio State seemed easy for him, even after being offered scholarships, some of them full-rides, from all over the country, according to his father.

Other schools that offered Popadak scholarships included Winthrop and Miami (Ohio).

Stepping up to the college level is often difficult, especially for young pitchers. Both his father and his coach, however, are optimistic about the jump.

“I think he’ll be just fine. He’s a strong kid. He’s durable, very durable. Playing the game and knowing the game are two different things — he knows the game and he can play,” his father said.

“I think he’s going to fit in wherever he goes. Tom’s that type of kid that he’s a true baseball player and Coach [Bob] Todd at Ohio State will be happy he’s there,” added Shaker.

Popadak says he’s up for the challenge.

“It’ll be different. I’m willing to do the work,” he said.