Mitch Rainer is on the move again as he continues to move up the ranks with the aspirations of a pro baseball career.
After two years at Hill College in Texas, Rainer has signed a full ride scholarship to play for the Cumberland University Bulldogs in Lebanon, Tenn.
Located 20 minutes east of Nashville, Cumberland was ranked number one in the preseason last year and won the National Championship in 2004 and 2010. The team has had a very good track record, as 18 of the last 19 seasons they have had 40 wins and eight of those years they registered 50 wins as a team.The 2004 squad set the school record for victories with 59, followed closely behind by the 2010 club with a 58-9 mark.
Rainer is transferring to Cumberland in his junior year, so he will play his junior and senior years of NCAA baseball eligibility.
"I plan to come in and work hard so I can become a starting pitcher just like I was at Hill College," Rainer said. "I may not be the hardest thrower, but my work ethic and determination will get me to where I want to be -starting games regularly."
The Bulldogs are currently practicing and getting ready for league play, which will begin during the spring semester.
He said any games that they do play this fall would go towards the rankings set in the preseason for the regular season in the spring.
The regular season starts in February or March depending on the weather. If the Bulldogs make the World Series he will be in Tennessee until late May and even into June.
Rainer said his experience at Hill College was great and a stepping-stone for his new career at Cumberland.
"I had two very good years at Hill and the exposure I got there when I made the all-star team was amazing," he said. "I couldn't have asked for anything more from the coaches exposure wise. It was also very good for me to get my first two years of schooling done and walk out of Hill with my associates degree. It's not much, but it makes my school here much easier and better for my future."
Rainer is draft eligible and is looking forward to a pro-day later this month when many pro scouts will be on hand.
He said turning pro one day still remains a top goal.
"I work hard and do what I do on the mound, so hopefully someone will notice me," he said. "All I can do is work hard and hope for the best. Although getting drafted is what I'm here for and why I'm playing baseball, it's just nice to get a free education while I'm doing what I love."
