O'Dell to continue baseball career with Coffeyville Community College

Derek O'Delll is all smiles during his signing-day ceremony Feb. 25 at the Nevada High School Media Center. Pictured from left to right: Derek's mother, Lana O'Dell, Derek O'Dell, and Derek's father, Greg O'Dell. Not pictured, O'Dell's siblings, Zach and Emily Ricketts. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

Nevada High School three-sport athlete Derek O'Dell has committed to play baseball for the Coffeyville Community College (Kan.) Red Ravens.

O'Dell inked the national letter-of-intent Feb. 25 at the NHS Media Center. O'Dell joins fellow Tiger baseball standouts Andrew Heathman and Brett Mitchell as members of the Coffeyville baseball team.

"I'm really excited about getting the opportunity to play with two of my Nevada teammates and friends at Coffeyville," O'Dell said. "I loved everything about the campus, coaches and players ---- and get to enjoy two more years with two close friends on the field."

O'Dell, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 160 pounds, projects at the collegiate-level as a starting pitcher. O'Dell said his fastball has topped out at 89 miles per hour. In addition to pitching, O'Dell is an infielder for Nevada, primarily playing shortstop and third base.

"'Rick' has a lot of potential," NHS baseball coach Danny Penn said. "As coach (John) McNeley said during the signing ceremony, Rick's length and frame project out to someone who can still add velocity. He needs to gain some weight and leg strength to maximize his potential."

Penn said he has been impressed with O'Dell's development on the field since day one of his freshman season.

"Rick has grown a lot in his maturity, his ability to not let pressure affect him in a negative way," he said. "He's someone who has matured a lot from the 14-year old freshman who came to us three-plus years ago.

"He's worked hard, both in the classroom and on the field to get himself in a position where playing at the collegiate-level was a possibility, and now, a reality."

Nevada High School assistant baseball coach and head junior varsity basketball coach Kyle Talley, said O'Dell has been a pleasure to coach.

"I have loved every minute the last four years having Derek around in my world," Talley said. "He has developed as an athlete over those years.

"Derek is a kid that brings a smile whether the other players and coaches do or not. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does continuing on in his life. I will miss 'Ricky.'"

O' Dell said he will continue to sharpen his skills playing for the Elite Bullets summer and fall baseball team out of Kansas City. O'Dell has also played for the Midwest Nationals.

"I will be focusing on my pitching only, rather than my hitting and (infield) position spots," the NHS senior said.

O'Dell said one of his most memorable moments came early during his prep career, when he made his varsity debut as a sophomore.

"I entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning (in relief) with the bases loaded and no outs and leading by a run," O'Dell said explaining the dicey situation, "and I struck out all three batters I faced."

O'Dell, who has lettered in all three varsity sports he's competed in, said his anticipated college major is business management.