Tigers right fielder Heathman signs with Coffeyville Red Ravens

Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Nevada Tigers senior right fielder Andy Heathman is all smiles while seated with family at his signing ceremony. The festivities took place Feb. 4 at the Nevada High School Media Center. Pictured from left to right: Andy's grandma Deanna Giessel, sisters Tylin and Abbey Heathman, dad Joe Heathman, Andy Heathman, mom Julie, and sister Ella. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

Nevada High School senior Andrew Heathman is joining his teammate and best friend Brett Mitchell as the newest members of the Coffeyville Community College (Kan.) Red Ravens baseball team.

Heathman said he was sold on the school after making his campus visit. While there, Heathman observed a Red Ravens practice.

"I loved the coaches first of all," Heathman said. "The players work so hard and are close."

Heathman, who had a big junior year batting .329 to go along with a team-leading three home runs and 25 RBIs, said he fielded scholarship offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Hannibal--LaGrange University.

"I selected Coffeyville not only for the baseball aspect, but the academics and campus. I liked the family atmosphere and felt immediately at home," Heathman said.

As a freshman, Heathman hit .333 and as a sophomore .267 with 14 RBIs. Through three seasons, Heathman is batting .320 , with five home runs, 18 doubles and two triples.

Heathman said he has a disciplined plate-approach.

"I just look to get a pitch to hit and put a good swing on it," he said.

Heathman has proven to be a versatile player for head coach Danny Penn's Tiger baseball program ---- as he also pitches, utilized in both the starter and closer roles during his junior campaign.

"Andy is a true baseball player," Penn said. "There's a distinction there, because some people are baseball players and some people are just guys who play baseball.

Andy Heathman goes into his pitching delivery. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

"He is a triple-threat in the sense that he hits well (middle of our lineup), plays solid outfield defense, and last year was our best starting pitcher."

In the outfield, Heathman is known for his strong arm and ability gun down runners on the base paths.

"Andy has been someone who has helped our varsity program from his first game as a freshman playing varsity," Penn said. "Defense 'plays' at the varsity-level, and Andy has always been a plus defender. In terms of his bigger-picture contributions to our program, he's been a lead-by-example type who stays pretty even-keeled."

Penn said Heathman has continued to make improvements each season on the diamond.

"Like Brett who was able to learn from Cole Sanderson, Andy was able to watch and learn from Lane Ketterman for two years," Penn said, "which I think helped him tremendously to grow as a player. As a freshman, Andy was a raw baseball player. Lots of athletic ability and a live arm, but he's really refined a large portion of his game over the past three years and truly turned into a baseball player."

Nevada's Andrew Heathman awaits a pitch. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

Penn said Heathman is respected and well-liked by his teammates and peers alike.

"His personality is one that keeps the guys loose and relaxed," Penn said, "which allows them to not try too hard. Instead, they just play baseball, which is what we want."

Penn said Heathman is not only ultra-talented, but has an excellent work ethic.

"As someone who has played at the varsity-level since he was a freshman, he's never gotten a big head about it or thought he had to work any less hard than anyone else."

Penn said he expects Heathman to continue to improve his senior season in order to be fully prepared for the collegiate-level.

"Andy would probably be the first to tell you that sometimes his swing gets a little long," Penn said, "so a point of focus would probably be to work on being short to the ball."

According to Penn, Heathman generates excellent bat-speed.

"He does such a good job of generating bat- speed and torque with his lower-half that he doesn't need to 'cheat' with his hands," he said. "Defensively, I think he just needs to continue on being solid with his footwork and clean in his fielding."

Nevada guard Andy Heathman drives into the paint against Warrensburg during a December 2014 game at Wynn Gym. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

In addition to baseball, Heathman is a starter and the captain of the Tigers varsity basketball team. Heathman also played quarter for Nevada as a sophomore.

Best friends

Penn spoke glowingly of both Heathman and Mitchell, who are best friends.

"Brett and Andy are more often than not found together," Penn said, "whether its on the baseball field, on a basketball court, or around town. They both played on the varsity-level as freshman and have been valuable members of our team and program the entire time."

Penn said Heathman and Mitchell's situation is similar to Braeden Hinton's and Branden Harder's freshman baseball season in 2015.

"I think it was good for both of them that they had a friend and fellow freshman going through it with them," Penn said of Heathman and Mitchell. "It's hard playing at the varsity-level as a freshman.

"But just as Branden and Braeden benefited from having each other going through the same challenges, Brett and Andy were better able to handle it by relying on each other."

According to Penn, Heathman and Mitchell are the "true leaders" of the baseball team heading into the 2016 season.

"They are two upstanding young men who are exactly what you want representing the Nevada Tiger Baseball Program," Penn said. "They're quality, class individuals, solid in the classroom, and well-grounded.

"I'm extremely fortunate that when I talk to our incoming freshmen and underclassmen about the expectations of our program, I can point to Brett and Andy as the definition of what we want them to become."

Penn said Heathman and Mitchell will be sorely missed upon graduation in May.

"Seeing them grow from 14-year old freshman boys to the 17-18 year old young men they are now, I'm extremely proud of what they've become," Penn said. "It's a testament to them and to their parents. I know I speak for coach (Kyle) Talley as well, but we'll definitely miss them after this year when they move on."

Heathman, who has been playing baseball since he was 6-years old, said Mitchell's father Chris, was his biggest influence on the diamond.

Summer plans

Heathman said he plans on playing summer and fall league baseball with the Kansas City Bullets. This will be Heathman's second season with the club. After that, Heathman said he is eagerly looking forward to his freshman season at Coffeyville.

"The amount of time that I will have to focus on baseball will increase," Heathman said, "since right now I am involved in so much."

Heathman said his favorite prep baseball memory was of his first home run, which took place his freshman season in the district championship game against Warrensburg.

Andrew Heathman with fellow Nevada High School student-athlete and girlfriend Lexi Overton, Feb. 4 in the NMS Media Center. (Photo by Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

Heathman, whose favorite baseball player is Ken Griffey Jr. and favorite team is the Kansas City Royals ---- currently holds a 3.495 grade point average and plans on majoring in physical therapy.

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