Tyler Baker, one of West Michigan High School Baseball’s “2011 Players to Watch” has signed to continue his education and play baseball at Spring Arbor University for head coach Sam Riggleman.

After being recruited by multiple schools and getting offers from several, Baker chose Spring Arbor for a variety of reasons.

The strength of the program at Spring Arbor was important. The Cougars have made the NAIA National Tournament for 5 years in a row – advancing to the World Series in two of those years.

Coach Riggleman is 207-99 since taking over at Spring Arbor and is one of only 10 coaches in the nation with over 700 wins in NAIA baseball (he is 853-548-2). Riggleman is also a member of two different Halls of Fame and has a MLB Scout as an assistant coach (Stan Eldridge of the Seattle Mariners).

While the quality of baseball at Spring Arbor is similar to that at a NCAA Division II program, the smaller roster size (23 vs 35) attracted Baker with the chance to contribute immediately.

Spring Arbor boasts some great baseball facilities and a tight-knit family atmosphere surrounds the team.

“I really liked the coaches and the players at Spring Arbor” said Baker.

“The baseball stadium, workout facilities and the fieldhouse are all great and the campus just felt right.”

Baker will be playing with several of the best West Michigan players at Spring Arbor, including Jerry Ferris of Jenison, plus Shane Street and Bryan Baldwin of Rockford. 2010′s Mr. Baseball from Michigan, Al Zeiher of Saline is also on the roster at Spring Arbor.

Baker, whose father played baseball for Ferris State, hit .545 for Grand Ledge last year and is a four year starter for the Comets.

He has played summer baseball for Billy Peterson of Diamonds Training out of Grand Rapids the past two summers.

West Michigan High School Baseball congratulates Tyler and wishes him success at Spring Arbor University!