Tice Is Living His Dream

PRAIRIE GROVE GRAD NOW MINOR LEAGUER AFTER BEING DRAFTED BY BLUEJAYS

Submitted Photo Ty Tice, a 2014 Prairie Grove graduate, attends UCA on a baseball scholarship, and has been drafted by major league baseball’s Toronto Bluejays. Tice has been assigned to the Bluejays’ Bluefield, W. Va. minor league club. Through the first week of July he has pitched in six games.
Submitted Photo Ty Tice, a 2014 Prairie Grove graduate, attends UCA on a baseball scholarship, and has been drafted by major league baseball’s Toronto Bluejays. Tice has been assigned to the Bluejays’ Bluefield, W. Va. minor league club. Through the first week of July he has pitched in six games.

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Ty Tice nailed down his third save in as many games as the Bluefield, W. Va. Bluejays claimed a 6-2 win over Princeton, W. Va. in minor league baseball action Friday.

Both teams are based in West Virginia and compete in the Appalachian League. Chavez Young chipped in 3 hits and drove in as many runs to power the Blue Jays' winning streak to eight games. Tice iced the game on the mound. Tice, a 2014 Prairie Grove graduate, went on to play baseball for the University of Central Arkansas and was drafted in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Bluejays.

Reached by phone Monday morning, Tice said he was "expecting it a little bit," so his selection by the Bluejays in the 17th round didn't come as a surprise. That did start him on a whirlwind of travel across the country. Two days after the draft, the Bluejays flew Tice to Florida, then two days later flew him to Virginia where he joined the Bluefield Bluejays minor league franchise.

"It was sort of a roller coaster, but it was fun," Tice said.

Prairie Grove Career

Like every little leaguer, Tice grew up dreaming of playing professional baseball through a stellar high school career at Prairie Grove and into college at UCA. At Prairie Grove, Tice was All-Conference four year and twice named All-State for the Tigers in baseball. He was All-Conference three times and All-State as a senior in basketball, concluding his high school career by winning the Most Outstanding Player award in the 2014 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game at UCA's Bear Stadium.

UCA Baseball

As a UCA freshman in 2015, Tice started 21 games and was named to 2015 Southland Conference All-Tournament team. Tice shifted to the mound often in 2016 at UCA. He had 12 starts and 4 relief appearances on the mound with a 4.10 ERA. He compiled a 1-1 record with 1 combined shutout, throwing 26.1 innings, striking out 26 and walking 9. Opponents hit .315 against him. Tice allowed just 4 extra-base hits (all doubles), and struck out a season-high 7 batters against Southeast Louisiana.

Dream Come True

As a junior this past spring, Tice (2-3, 8 saves) threw 887 pitches, helping UCA win 17 of the 22 games he pitched in. Despite having one year left, Tice's collegiate elgibility ended once he turned pro, but that was something he couldn't turn down.

"It was something I worked my whole life to get," Tice said. "It's a dream come true."

Tice made his first appearance as a minor-leaguer June 24 against the Greenville, Tenn. Astros, pitching 1.1 innings. In his debut, Tice helped Bluefield hold on for a 7-6 win. Three days later, Tice recorded his first minor-league strikeout against the Burlington, N.C. Royals. He added two more June 29 on the road against the league-leading Pulaski, Va. Yankees.

Tice played a key role in a July 1 victory for Bluefield by a 2-1 score over Bristol, Va., although he surrendered the first hit of his minor league career. He struck out a pair of batters and earned a save, the first of three consecutive successful closes.

Tice celebrated his 21st birthday on America's birthday fulfilling a passion for the national pastime with another save July 4 to wrap up a 9-6 win over Burlington.

Immediate Impact

Tice has been stingy as the Bluejays' closer. He allowed 1 hit, no earned runs, and 2 bases on balls while striking out 7 batters in an accumulated 6.2 innings worth of work spread out over his first five appearances.

He attributes his ability to adapt and make an immediate contribution to teammates and coaches.

""We have a great group of guys here in Bluefield, we all get along well," Tice said. "The coaches are great, but when it comes down to it, it's just baseball."

Tice said no matter what level a player is competing at, understanding and executing the fundamentals of the game empower success. His advice to young players dreaming of a pro career is "Work hard, don't give up. It's baseball, there's always going to be some ups and downs. If you love the game, don't ever give up."

Rooted In Faith

Tice has not forgotten where he comes from. He expressed appreciation to all his family, friends, coaches, teammates throughout summer ball, high school and college for helping him reach pro ball.

"There are too many people to name that played key roles in me getting to where I am today," Tice said.

His parents, Jason and Tracy Tice, of Prairie Grove, joined him for a week in Virginia as did his girlfriend, Katelyn Harryman, of Rogers. During that time span, Tice and the Bluejays played six games.

"We won every game while they were here, that's pretty cool," Tice said. "It was awesome to get that level of support. My dad got to take a week off his job and hang out."

Tice is enjoying the ride, but he's far from complacent. His faith helps him keep the experience in perspective.

"I'm very thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to do this," Tice said. "I wake up and I go play baseball. I'm thankful for this new opportunity and I look forward to starting my journey as I work toward the big leagues. I just understand that everything that's been given to me is being given to me by him. It's not just me out there doing it, he's given it all to me."

Sports on 07/12/2017