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Parkville, Md. (Map, News) - With a simple look at the 6-foot-5 senior, it's easy to tell what makes Parkville High’s Kevin Jacob a superb pitcher. But what sets him apart from any other physical talent is his desire, work ethic and personality.
“He’s a ‘yes sir,’ ‘no sir’ type,” Parkville coach Jeff Markle said. “He’s the kind of kid you dream about.”
Dreaming is exactly what Georgia Tech began doing when they saw the right-handed Jacob at a camp last summer.
“He turned out to be a prime recruit that we began following this summer,” Georgia Tech coach Danny Hall said in a team recruiting release on the Yellow Jackets’ athletics Web site. “We heard that he would be pitching in the Perfect Game National Tournament here in Atlanta, and it was indicated that he was a very bright student that possibly wanted to pursue engineering.”
Jacob sports a 3.5 grade-point average, but the more eye-opening numbers are the ones he racks up on the mound. With a four-pitch repertoire — highlighted by a mid-90s fastball and a sharp slider — he entered Monday’s start against Catonsville 5-1 with a 0.44 ERA in 32 innings pitched. He had struck out 65 batters vs. just seven walks for the Knights (8-3).
Despite those numbers, he’s still finding room in his game to improve.
“Location,” Jacob said of his areas of needed improvement. “Location of my off-speed pitches. Throwing strikes and getting ahead of hitters.”
He caught Georgia Tech’s eye with an impressive week in Atlanta over the summer, and is looking forward to getting to school.
“I just want to go to a team with a winning history,” Jacob said. “If you play for a winner, you’re going to get better. It’s probably one of the better schools if you want to go further in baseball.”
Georgia Tech has a deeply rooted history in sending players to the major leagues, most notably Orioles outfielder Jay Payton, Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira (Severna Park native), Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra and Boston catcher Jason Varitek.
For Markle and the Knights, Jacob’s gain is a gain for Parkville, too.
“It’s just nice to have somebody like that,” Markle said. “A lot of those kids like that around here end up at a private school. It’s nice to get your hands on someone, especially someone with Kevin’s ability, and that he does well in school. He’s the total package … and a pleasure to have.”



Comments from Examiner Readers
11:39 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 25, 2008 re: "Empty Diamonds: Baseball loses its mythic grip on area youngsters"
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4:09 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 25, 2008
re: "Trying to revive Little League in the District"
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5:52 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008
re: "Trying to revive Little League in the District"
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10:43 AM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008
re: "Empty Diamonds: Baseball loses its mythic grip on area youngsters"
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5:11 PM MST on Fri., Jun. 13, 2008
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12:31 PM MST on Fri., Jun. 13, 2008
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1:50 PM MST on Mon., May. 26, 2008
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9:23 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008
re: "Walcoff: Here’s the deal: Let me play and I’ll reduce posse to one"
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2:44 PM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007
re: "Without a blemish"
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7:36 AM MST on Wed., May. 23, 2007
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6:15 AM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
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8:43 PM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
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9:12 AM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
re: "Simons shows the way for St. Albans"
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10:10 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
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5:45 AM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
JJ said: little league in da district, HA! You couldnt aford the security or the bullet proof vest JJ you're an idiot!
3 agree | 1 disagree
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Rudy said:
The press can help with this situation by doing a little research and helpiong to get the word out about the oppurtunities that have long existed in the District. There are organizations out side of Little League and Ward 2, 3 and 4. Babe Ruth Baseball League has, in recent memory, been a much more competitive league than Little League. There are 12 or more clubs that play in this league from almost every ward in the city. Some of these teams play in both Little League and Babe Ruth League. There are several clubs that have a very rich tradition in baseball, Such as, The Woodridge Warriors, Takoma Rangers, #10 B&G Club and others. Most of these organizations are comunity based and don't have the budgets that NWLL may have, but still produce a great product and create a positive program for the kids.
3 agree | 2 disagree
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JJ said:
little league in da district, HA! You couldnt aford the security or the bullet proof vest.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Rob said:
It's simply amazing how the local press and the so-called baseball experts in the District continue to ignore and refuse to acknowledge the level and quality of baseball being played by the Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization (NE DC). For over 40 years, the program under the leadership of Mason Clark, has fielded baseball teams for youth between the ages of 5 through 16. While this season may not have been one representative of past baseball seasons with our younger teams, we still have a great deal of pride in the efforts of our kids and coaches. Although it wasn't mentioned in the recent Washington Post article, Manny Burris of the San Francisco Giants played for 3 years with the Woodridge Warriors. There have been many former Warriors that have or are currently playing at the high school and college level. All we read about is the baseball that is played west of the park. These type of articles seem more intent on dismissing or trivializing the baseball efforts outside of upper NW
8 agree | 1 disagree
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Ron W. Alameda said:
If you were to listen to the Korach broadcast, and ever hear the name "Oakland", I would be shocked. They refuse to acknowledge the teams home. They dumped Oakland, so Oakland's dumped them.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I had previously written to you about the insufferable A's TV play-by-play guy, Glen Kuiper. He rarely focuses upon the game itself, with his constant emphasis upon trivia ranging from uniforms to fans' signs. I suspect that is because he knows so little about the game. When fans don't attend, they usually watch the A's on TV and because of the television delay, can no longer silence Kuiper by turning to Korach on the radio. Kuiper alienates fans with his yawning trivialities and monumental ineptitude. I believe Kuiper's manifest boredom with broadcasting the A's leads to fan boredom and thus contributes to the scant attendance. Get this amateur off the air!
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I didn't see any "carrying" done by Lebron. I saw someone who choked and struggled AGAIN when facing REAL competition (like last year against the Spurs). Lebron played HORRIBLY in the Celtics series. Everyone thinks Lebron has carried the Cavs through the playoffs the last several years, when the fact is that all Lebron did was beat the Wizards 2 years in a row without Gilbert Arenas or Caron Butler playing, and the first year they met he made 2 game winners while traveling. If he plays in the west, he wouldn't even sniff the second round of the playoffs.
7 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
lebron the best player in the game? what a ridiculously inane conclusion. until he masters even 2 fundamentals of the game, let alone most of the aspects of basketball that kobe has mastered, lebron is nothing but hype. no wonder this statement is relegated to "random thoughts", because there is no cogent analysis that even remotely leads to the conclusion that lebron is the best player.
7 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I don't get it. He didn't really write this letter, but did he actually write a letter to all the GM's looking for a job?? Confusing??
9 agree | 7 disagree
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CHC Alum said:
Congratulations to the Cardinals! Now, if only they could transfer some of that talent to the football team and start winning the Turkey Bowl...
310 agree | 282 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ryan Rivers is by far one of the best pitchers in the county,his mechanics and smoothness, will fool you.
477 agree | 321 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
how come there are no articles on calvert hall players in the area they are 32-0 they have beat carvel academy, st.johns d.c.,notre dame of virgina,and 5 teams from other states in the disney world classic. can they get some print thanks
353 agree | 330 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Jacobs is no doubt best pitcher in the state
428 agree | 355 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The score was 9-3 not 7-2 and STA also beat prep for the championship 9-1. Just cuz we didnt play St. Johns doesnt mean you can look past us.
345 agree | 364 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Albans has a good record, but who have they played? Their obvious DC competitors are St. Johns and Gonzaga. Have they played them? The premier private school is Notre Dame. Have they played them? How good is the IAC this year?
799 agree | 403 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Brady dominating on the mound. Best pitcher in state
626 agree | 399 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Good Luck to the Panthers. PVI has a great program!
406 agree | 380 disagree
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