Dec. 8, 2005

By Dan Nied Journal-Advocate sports reporter dnied@journal-advocate.com

STERLING -Calder Hendrickson's original plan was to wait until the spring to figure out his collegiate future.

By that time, every major Division I program interested in the Northeastern Junior College pitcher would have a chance to scout him. In turn, Hendrickson would have a chance to take official visits to every school he was interested in.

But sometimes plans aren't always followed.

Monday Hendrickson, a 6-foo-9 righthander with a fastball that reaches the low 90s. verbally committed to Lubbock Christian University, an NAIA program in the Sooner Athletic Conference ranked No. 9 in the preseason rankings.

Hendrickson, a devout Christian with plans on going into the ministry after his baseball career ends, chose Lubbock Christian because he was impressed with both the baseball and ministry programs.

The early decision came as a result of a deadline imposed by Lubbock Christian coach Nathan Blackwood. Blackwood offered Hendrickson a full scholarship - almost unheard of for college baseball.

Because the offer was so substantial, Blackwood asked that Hendrickson make a timely decision.

"To tie that much money up into one person, we couldn't give him a whole lot of time," Blackwood said.

Hendrickson made an official visit to Lubbock Christian on Nov. 18. After offering the scholarship, Blackwood asked that Hendrickson make his decision by Dec. 5. Hendrickson called Blackwood Monday to accept the offer.

While Hendrickson has signed his scholarship sheet, he still has to sign his letter of intent. That is expected to happen either Friday or Monday.

His commitment does not, however, rule out the chance that Hendrickson will sign with the university of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, Oklahoma State University or any other Division I school that has shown major interest in him.

Players are still eligible to sign NCAA letters of intent after doing the same at an NAIA school.

Hendrickson, however, said it would take a special offer to change his mind.

"That could definitely come into play," he said. "But I am planning on going to Lubbock Christian unless God takes me somewhere else."

Hendrickson could also be taken in the 2006 Major League Baseball entry draft in June. If he decides to sign with a major league club, he would forfeit his right to play collegiate baseball, instead playing in that team's farm system.

If Hendrickson does make it to Lubbock Christian, his draft status could rise even higher. The top NAIA schools are often competitive with the top NCAA schools. Two players from last year's Lubbock Christian team are now with major league organizations.

The Oakland Athletics selected right handed pitcher John Herrera in the 10th round of the entry draft. The Cincinnati Reds signed left handed pitcher Brandon Newman to a free agent contract.

Six former Lubbock Christian players have gone on to major league careers - most notably shortstop Randy Velarde, who played 16 seasons in the major leagues with four different organizations.

Since 1976, 60 Lubbock Christian players have gone on to professional careers.

Blackwood pointed to the school's conference, one of the toughest in NAIA, and location, home of Texas Tech, a major Division I program.

"Plenty of scouts will see him," Blackwood said. "If he is a guy that is able to make it at the next level he is going to have the opportunity. We really push our guys to get a degree but also to continue that career and we help them as much as we can with that. We have good relationships with scouts and we hope for the best with that."

Hendrickson will have the chance to anchor the Chaparrals' staff next season - an opportunity he may not have gotten at a Division I program.

"I need to go somewhere I'm going to pitch," Hendrickson said. "How many No. 1's does Arizona have? Probably all 15 (pitchers)."

Northeastern baseball coach Bryan Shepherd said Hendrickson has a chance to be one of the top prospects his program has ever produced.

"Given his size and character" Shepherd said, "he's got the potential to be the most successful prospect to come out of NJC off the mound."

Now the pressure is off of Hendrickson to figure out what his collegiate future holds. He can concentrate on his sophomore season at Northeastern without the distraction of performing for college scouts.

"There is a lot less stress because regardless how I throw this spring it isn't going to affect how big of a scholarship I get or where," Hendrickson said. "I feel very much at peace about everything. That is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders."