Mickey Wanatee (Black shirt) recently signed to play baseball with Central College next year. Pictured is Wanatee with his mom Michelle Frost, dad Demetreus Wanatee, grandpa Frank D. Wanatee Jr, Denis Curtis (family friend) and STC coaches Seth Koch and Dan Cass. Allison Graham/News Chronicle

South Tama’s Mickey Wanatee will be taking his talents to Central College to play with The Dutch next year.

The Dutch are coached by Matt Schirm.

Wanatee said he was pretty excited to be moving on to play college ball.

“I’m ready for the new start and new adventures I’m going to have. I’m looking forward to being with such a great team,” Wanatee said.

Wanatee credited the Central coaches for helping make his decision.

Mickey Wanatee signs his letter of intent to play baseball at Central College next year. Allison Graham/News Chronicle

“They were really nice and really understanding,” Wanatee said.

He also likes the area and has friends who will be attending Central as well.

Wanatee was a big part of South Tama’s post regular season success. He wore several hats for the Trojans including left fielder while batting a team best .450 with eight doubles, three home runs and 31 RBI’s. He scored 18 runs, walked nine times and was plunked twice. He was 8-for-8 in stolen bases and committed just three errors on 49 chances while recording eight assists defensively.

The Trojans were underdogs in the playoffs last season, making it all the way to the third round. Their season ultimately was cut short by Benton in extra innings.

“We got really hot during the postseason. I think we should have gone to state. We had a really strong game but stuff happens. It’s a building block for us to be better this year. I know a lot of the guys are using that as motivation to come back better. We already have hopes of winning the WaMaC,” Wanatee said.

A major accolade for Wanatee was debuting on the IHSBCA All-State list. It was the first time South Tama had an all-state honoree since Kolton Smith represented the Trojans on the 3A first team in 2014.

College

Wanatee will be playing under head coach Schirm.

Schirm was named head coach of the Central baseball team prior to the 2015 season.

Schirm piloted the Dutch to three conference tournament berths in his first five seasons and has had players earn NCAA Division III all-region honors seven times. He’s compiled a 98-118 record.

He previously served as the top assistant at Wartburg College from 2011-14. He was the hitting coach for a team that led the conference in hitting in two of his three seasons and won the 2013 conference regular season and tournament championships.

Season prep

Wanatee is already working on his hitting and pitching for the upcoming season.

As for team goals Wanatee said they are looking to win the conference, district and go to State.

Wanatee is the son of Michelle Frost and Demetreus Wanatee.