Ballard Beaver, Jacob Westerman, has been following his baseball dreams for his entire life, and after signing a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of New Mexico Lobos, Westerman’s dream is becoming a reality.

On November 14, at Ballard High School, Westerman signed his letter of intent to play baseball with UNML.  

UNML have a nationally recognized division one baseball program and have won their division four of the last five years under head coach, Ray Birmingham.

Westerman lives in Ballard with his parents. He has been playing baseball since he was age six, and has hopes of one day playing professional baseball.

Jacob played Ballard Little League up through Select Baseball, Boys of Summer, for the last twelve years. Westerman is the only one of three Division I scholarship athletes over the last three years to come out of Ballard.

Westerman will graduate from Ballard High School in the spring and start training with UNML over the summer.

Considering a major in psychology, Westerman will start courses in the fall. Through a baseball scholarship, UNML cover 50 percent of tuition, books, room and board. Westerman said he is excited to train at the new facility and looking forward to the warm, sunny weather.

"I really like baseball and how it’s the true one-on-one match up during batting. I rely on my teammates, but at the same time I need to go out and hit by myself. I have always liked baseball in general, and it's something I’m good at,” said Westerman.

Shannon Westerman, Jacob's mother, visited the campus with Jacob a few months ago. Jacob met with players and coaches, and he was impressed with the school’s new facilities and what the coaches had to say.

“My mom went down to the visit and saw everything and was pretty thrilled because she hadn’t seen a division one program before. Everything is nice and new and very well maintained. … We talked to coaches and got a feel for their coaching philosophy, and how they run the team and carry themselves, and I liked what they are about.”

Westerman said that his coaches and his family have played a significant role in developing his athletic ability, yet ultimately which school he decided to play for was his decision.

“My High School coach supports my choice and wants me to make my own decision. … My select coaches are really involved and one of them personally knows one of the coaches in New Mexico and thinks it will be a good fit for me. He helped influence my decision, but it’s mostly my own. They all supported whatever decision I made.”