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DEL.ICIO.USFootball or baseball for Cartersville’s Tate?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The debate over whether Cartersville junior Donovan Tate’s future lies in football or baseball will likely rage into next summer.
That’s when the 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-sport athlete is expected to be a high choice as an outfielder in the major league baseball draft.
Tate has a scholarship offer from nearly every college football power throughout the nation.
Will the son of former Georgia running back Lars Tate follow in his dad’s footsteps and sign with the Bulldogs as a quarterback or safety?
Will he play college football elsewhere?
Or will he opt to become a professional baseball player directly out of high school?
“Donovan is focused on baseball at Cartersville right now,” Cartersville football coach Frank Barden said Sunday evening. “But this is the time of year that assistant football coaches can get back out and visit. A lot of them have been coming in to see Donovan.
“A lot them will come on by the school, but they know he won’t be participating in spring football practice [which begins on Monday May 5]. They’ll come by in the morning and let Donovan know that they’re there and interested in him.”
Barden said Tate reminds him of a current member of the Atlanta Braves who was a two-sport star in high school at Parkview.
“He’s a lot like [Jeff] Francoeur,” Barden said. “He can run and throw and hit home runs. He may be a top five pick in baseball.
“But he’ll sign in February with a college and then wait for the baseball draft [in June 2009].”
If Tate winds up in college, it’s a safe bet that he will play both sports.
“It will be a college that lets him play dual sports,” Barden predicted. “When they get film on him, most of the coaches really like him as a quarterback.
“Then they go talk to the baseball coach and ask about Donovan playing. A lot of those coaches already know about him because in the baseball world his name is up there pretty high.”
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By Flag Boy
April 27, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Come to Tech, play both sports and in your spare time you can follow in my footsteps and be a flagboy during halftime.
By Hairy "Spooner"
April 28, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this
Come to UGA, play both sports and in your spare time you can go to nascar races, get drunk, lift kegs over your head and spoon your teammates, its awesome.
By JB
April 28, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
Silliness aside, come to UGA and be a part of the never ending ownership of the yellow maggots.
HBTD!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Matt
April 28, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Athens is your home already DT. Could there be a better place for a bright, athletic, driven kid from Cartersville???
By Shamrock Slinger
April 28, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Follow your heart, young man. Make the most of your talent and your choices.
By Reuben Houston
April 28, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Come to Tech
By Leonard Pope
April 28, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
come two jeorga. dey toht me 2 read gud.
By ghsawatch
April 28, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Go where you want to son! Your Dad was exciting to watch. The second best two sport player in the state is Tanner Bryant from Landmark Christian. He is better in baseball than football. But watch his football. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8_Bbn847Q4
By rainbowjacket
April 28, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Donovan Tate,
Come to Georgia Tech, We love fine young men like you. The Atlanta nightlife is awesome…You can shake your hott stuff all night long at the bars. Paul Johnson is building a superpower with young stong ample men that know how to play ball. Tech will rise above again…
Excelsior
By Chris Stephens
April 28, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
From what I know, Tech isn’t even in his top 5. Texas, UGA, USC, Florida I know are in there. I’m not sure what the fifth one is.
By Chris Stephens
April 28, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
From what I know, Tech isn’t even in his top 5. Texas, UGA, USC, Florida I know are in there. I’m not sure what the fifth one is.
By Top Dog
April 29, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Congrats Donovan on your very bright future I know whatever you choose you will be a success.Let’s not forget that Donovan will only be as great as the teammates around him and he has a pretty good running back in that backfield with him that’s going to be one hell of a college player for some one.That running back is Morgan Alexander and you will be hearing both their names alot in 2008-2009 football season. GO Canes!!!
By Won't beat me in HR Derby
April 30, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Great kid, great mom and loved coaching him a few years ago in baseball. Which ever team he decides to go to they will be lucky to have him. Donovan is a first class kid and plays with a lot of heart. I’m so proud of him and to have been a part of his development. Good luck, D. I still don’t think you can take me in a HR contest though. - JS
By Won't beat me in HR Derby
April 30, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Great kid, great mom and loved coaching him a few years ago in baseball. Which ever team he decides to go to they will be lucky to have him. Donovan is a first class kid and plays with a lot of heart. I’m so proud of him and to have been a part of his development. Good luck, D. I still don’t think you can take me in a HR contest though. - JS
By lil dookey!!!
August 18, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
I feel honestly that donavan decision was not his full decision on not playin football i feel that it is more his mother’s decision becuz if you talk to donavan and listen how he talks about football no one would believe it was his decision but o well goodluck in your future but i honestly hope yu dont regret this in your future!!! ps make your own decision
By lil dookey!!!
August 18, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
I feel honestly that donavan decision was not his full decision on not playin football i feel that it is more his mother’s decision becuz if you talk to donavan and listen how he talks about football no one would believe it was his decision but o well goodluck in your future but i honestly hope yu dont regret this in your future!!! ps make your own decision
By Central lion
January 20, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this
donovan tate is a great athlete. hes an out standing center fielder who if he goes to georgia tech has the smarts enough not to throw the damn ball away on 4th down against georgia!!!! great job reggie ball!!!