Green City Senior Signs With William Woods Baseball
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By David Sharp
Green City senior Grant O’Haver has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at William Woods University at Fulton, Missouri. O’Haver signed the letter during a ceremony at Green City High School on February 1, 2023.
A large group of family and supporters from at least two communities witnessed the commitment. Baseball teammates and former classmates from Knox County included current Eagle Head Baseball Coach David Cameron.
Grant O’Haver attended the Knox County school system before his family moved to Green City some four years ago. Both of Grant’s parents formerly taught at Knox County.
Green City baseball coach and Athletic Director Dale Whitacre commented to the Milan Standard after the signing. “I’m so happy and proud of Grant,” Dale Whitacre said. “He has put in years of work to get here. I’m so glad he gets to live his dream and keep playing baseball past high school.”
Green City has won their baseball district the most recent four seasons. The Gophers have a run of conference baseball titles as well. “It means a lot. They see a lot of potential in him behind the plate,” Coach Whitacre said of his projections and discussions with Owl baseball coaches about his player.”
“They have (three) senior catchers. They were super excited about getting a young catcher that has been there and has all the tools they are looking for,” Coach Whitacre said.
“Eventually he is going to help them. It was exciting to see former travel ball coaches and teammates come from Edina and around,” Dale Whitacre said. “It’s just great to have communities all across Northeast Missouri that are coming to support him today.”
“I am on top of the world,” Grant O’Haver told the Milan Standard after signing his National Letter of Intent. “All these friends and family here. All these people who have helped me through all of these stages of life.”
“To better myself as a baseball player and as a person. Teaching me life lessons, It’s really crazy but also heartwarming. Hard work pays off. That’s for sure.”
“I went to recruiting camps,” Grant O’Haver said regarding his recruiting process. “When I got the first offer, I bit at it. I didn’t want to take chances of not being able to go anywhere else.”
Grant O’Haver talked about the relationship between his future college coach at William Woods and Truman State University baseball coaches. “My Dad (former Knox County and Brashear baseball coach Michael O’ Haver) had a relationship with coaches at Truman State.”
Michael O’Haver was a state championship catcher at Kirksville High School and a starting catcher at Pitt State University in Kansas. O’Haver also coached at Truman State for a time.
“The college had a feel I have been used to my whole life. I really enjoyed it. I am going to have to prove myself if I want to catch (at William Woods.) I am definitely going to have to step up to the plate.”