Heathcott must pick Yankees or LSU

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ESCANABA - Slade Heathcott is taking life easy in Escanaba awaiting the most important decision of his life.

He is in the enviable position just about every American youngster dreams of facing: playing baseball at a major university or signing a professional contract.

Heathcott, with scholarship in hand, reports to NCAA champion Louisiana State University Aug. 15. Two days later is the Major League Baseball deadline to sign a pro contract.

"I'm in a win-win situation," said Heathcott, the New York Yankees' top pick - 29th overall - in the June draft. He is ranked No. 72 overall by Baseball America.

"It will not be easy to get me out of college, especially from a program like LSU. But the Yankees are one of the best franchises in baseball history and one of my favorite ballplayers is Mickey Mantle."

A native of Oklahoma, Heathcott led Texas High School of Texarkana to the Class 4A state baseball title last month. Regarded as a rare five-tool player heading into the draft, he batted .457 with four home runs, 28 RBIs and 15 runs scored after returning from surgery to repair a severely damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sustained in football.

"It is a very, very hard decision. If I go to college, I'm going to play baseball, not for education. That will always be there."

Heathcott is in Escanaba with his girl friend, Hillary Fowler, the granddaughter of Al and Marla Gossan. She is a soccer player who will play at Mississippi College. He played golf Tuesday with Al at Escanaba Country Club, the first time he did 18 holes.

"I'm a baseball player," he said of his golf venture.

Heathcott, who has already found out what life in New York can be like as the subject of some unsubstantiated and vicious blogs, appears to have his feet firmly planted on the ground and does not have a big head to go with his bushy hair. "Yes sir" and "no sir" are part of his normal vocabulary, and he has the confidence of a superbly talented athlete.

If he signs with the Yankees, Heathcott expects to be sent to rookie ball in Tampa followed by an extended fall season in Tampa. If he goes to LSU, there will be fall ball and intra-squad scrimmages.

Although his future is up in the air right now, he is handling life well and his head is not spinning wildly. "Everybody figures I should be freaking out, but I have faith it will all work out the way it is supposed to," he said.

Although deadlines are near, he is not tipping his hand. "I would love to win a state championship in high school, win a college World Series and a Major League Baseball World Series. That would be awesome," he said.

"The Yankees have the ball in their court. I'm probably putting more pressure on the Yankees than they are putting on me."

Because he could be a college athlete, he does not have an agent. He does have an advisor, who was selected with the help of family, friends and coaches.

"I'm not worried about where I'll end up. It is so equal to me," he said. "It is like a dream come true."

The sinewy, muscular 6-foot-1, 196-pound prospect bats and throws left-handed. He was drafted as an outfielder although he has been clocked in the mid 90s as a pitcher, but did not throw this year after injuring his shoulder diving for a fly ball.

He likes playing center field. "You are the catcher of the whole field. I like to be the leader," he said.

Heathcott was brought to New York after the state tournament ended and worked out with the Yankees, hitting three home runs. He was brought into a restaurant near the Empire State Building that had a Texarkana burger and Slade Sliders in his honor.

"It shows my dream is not that far out," he said of the experience. "It also made me realize how lucky I've been and what kind of special opportunities I've had."

He chatted with veteran outfielder Johnny Damon, whose contract expires in two years. While taking over for Damon is beyond his wildest dream, Heathcott said "if I'm not up there in five-six years you've got to accept the fact you might not be.

"My goal is to be there and stay in two-three years. I have no doubt I can do it in two-three years. The higher goals they set on me the happier I am because I have to try that much harder."