Culture At George Mason Is Right For Tomlinson

Ty Tomlinson SS / 3B / Portage Northern, MI / 2024

PORTAGE - It was a gamble that Ty Tomlinson was willing to take. Now the Portage Northern senior is a George Mason commit.

“I decommitted in late June,” Tomlinson reflected about his decision to reopen his recruitment after previously making a commitment to the University of Michigan. “I got together with my family and realized there were better options for me to call home out there. I decided to bet on myself that I would find a better fit for me.”

Three months later Tomlinson has a future home.

“Playing in the south during the summer, George Mason was able to see me,” pointed out the fifth-ranked 2024 shortstop in Michigan. “In talking to the coaches, I was pretty sure I could see that was the place for me. I went on a visit in September and that confirmed what I thought. I had a connection with the coaching staff and the relationship we’d built. I went to a practice and everyone talked, not just about baseball. The culture was right for me.”

It made the decision to get back in the recruiting process a good one in the eyes of Tomlinson, who turned 18 on Sept. 2.

“It’s always going to be a stressful time for a kid my age making a decision about the next four years of your life,” pointed out Tomlinson, who also visited Indiana State while talking with a number of other schools. “My parents were there going through it with me and it was enjoyable getting to know all these places. I believe I made the right decision.”

George Mason is happy how it turned out.

“They’re looking for someone to come in and play shortstop and that’s what they saw in me,” the 22nd-rated senior in Michigan said. “They like the way I swing the bat, my approach at the plate and that I’m able to go backside and that I’m not afraid to hit with two strikes. That’s the culture they’re trying to build.”

Going to college almost 10 hours from home will be an interesting experience according to Tomlinson, who had never been to Virginia before his visit to George Mason.

“When I opened up my process again one of the main goals was to try and get a little south,” Tomlinson related. “As you get older you’re not as big of a fan with snow. I’ll see a little, so it’s the best of both worlds.

“What I think I’ll enjoy about it the most is I know I’m on my own,” Tomlinson continued about what life will be like far away from his home state of Michigan. “I have to create a path on my own. Family will be 91/2 hours away, so I just have to do my own thing.”

The 6-3 180-pounder is confident his “own thing” will include being a valuable asset to the Atlantic 10 Conference program.

“I’ll bring my leadership,” Tomlinson proclaimed. “I’m not afraid to step up in big moments. I’ll be a good teammate and be accountable.”

Making a commitment this time around was a blessing.

“I opened up at the right time for myself to give me an opportunity to be seen in the summer,” Tomlinson said. “It was stressful for me and my family but when I chose George Mason we couldn’t be happier. It was a lot of weight off the shoulders.

“I’m a little older and I’ve matured a little since the first time I committed, so I was able to put myself on the line and feel out both sides during conversations to see who would be the best fit for me.”

Tomlinson, who carries a 4.27 GPA and plans to major in business administration, is excited at what the future holds at George Mason.

“I look forward to it every day,” Tomlinson concluded. “I’m excited to start a new chapter with guys I’ll be friends with for life. I’m excited for this new step and look forward to going to a program like Geroge Mason to compete for a conference title and, hopefully, more.”