Garrett Anderson is a three-sport athlete at Blue Earth Area High School – football, basketball and baseball.

When it came time for the senior standout to make a college decision, he not only had to decide where to go, but also what sport to play.

He was recruited by several Division II and III schools to play football. The Buccaneer quarterback has a great throwing arm.

Schools such as Minnesota State, Mankato, and Southwest Minnesota State at Marshall were interested.

But, Anderson wasn’t interested in furthering his football career.

“I have just loved baseball since I was a kid,” he says. His arm that has made him a star quarterback has also led him to a great pitching career.

He decided to accept an offer and scholarship to play baseball at St. Cloud State University next year. And he made it official by signing with them on Thursday this past week.

“I really like their campus, the baseball program, and Coach Dolan,” Anderson explains. “My friend John Tvedto from Martin County West went there and told me how much fun it was to play baseball there.”

The Huskies were not the only program to contact Anderson. He heard from a dozen schools, including some in Iowa, Indiana and Florida.

He also heard from the pros.Anderson tried out with the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves last summer.

“I think I did pretty good with the Twins, and even better with the Braves,” he says.

He admits to being a bit nervous trying out for the Twins managers and scouts in the Metrodome.

But, he adds, it was a highlight of his summer.

Both pro teams have to wait until Anderson is out of high school before they can contact him again. That means it is possible either one could still come calling with a contract.

“That would be pretty exciting,” Anderson admits. “I guess we will just have to see.”

It might mean his career at St. Cloud could be short, if he gets a call from the Twins.

Anderson’s mother, Sheri, and his father, Dave, also said they were excited and proud of their son. They and Garrett’s sisters, Ashley and Keri, were at the signing ceremony.

Anderson’s Buccaneer coach, Todd Schmidtke, also at Thursday’s event, says he is very excited for his pitching ace.

“Garrett is a great young man, and will do well in the college game,” Schmidtke says. “He has a great work ethic and is willing to dedicate himself to working hard.”

Schmidtke remembers when both he and Anderson were living in Winnebago.

“I’ve known him since he was a little kid,” Schmidtke says. “He would come over and play some whiffle ball in the vacant lot next door. I knew then he had a great throwing arm.”

Besides the Bucs, Anderson has played some ball with the Blue Earth Pirates, and also two traveling Minnesota teams.

“I played with two different teams over the summer,” Anderson says. “We traveled to Joliet, Ill., Florida and Atlanta for some games.”

For now, Anderson has to forget baseball, and get geared up for Buccaneer basketball. Practice starts today, Monday, Nov. 16.

The future Huskie says he likes basketball and football, but his passion is baseball.

“I’ve just always loved baseball the most,” he says with a smile.