Sevier County's Noah Webb commits to Vols baseball team

He has a longer explanation, too, but Noah Webb can sum up his decision to commit to Tennessee baseball in two brief points.

“It’s an easy decision when one, it’s a dream school, and two, your friends are there,” the Sevier County pitcher/catcher said via phone.

The longer answer includes fan support at UT, the direction of the program and his former teammates, Zach Linginfelter and Chase Wallace, on the Vols' roster. But Webb’s answer was short and sweet.

Webb, like most baseball players in the state, also had Vanderbilt as a destination school. But the Commodores had a couple of other big recruits and Webb wanted to play.

Early on, Webb almost was swayed by Purdue, his first offer. Sevier County coach Casey Taylor suggested holding off and seeing what other offers came. The springs start late in Indiana, after all, which is not conducive to playing baseball.

“ ‘I know how these things go; once one of the big boys pop, the others start popping,’ ” Taylor recalled telling Webb and his mother.

Sure enough, they did. Now, Webb will play for the Vols.

UT started looking at Webb as a catcher, then saw him pitch, and also has brought up the idea of playing the outfield or first base. It all depends on who else ends up on that roster and what the Vols need. Webb doesn’t have any expectations, though catching is his passion.

The junior started focusing on catching five or six years ago, when playing for Mike Kremblas, who played minor league ball. Kremblas was something of a father figure to Webb, and a former catcher. Thus, Webb became a catcher.

Turns out, he’s pretty good at it.

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As a freshman, Webb caught three big arms (including then-senior, now UT sophomore Linginfelter) well enough for Taylor not to care about his offensive struggles. 

“He was just by far better (than the older catchers),” Taylor said. “Our focus was more defensive oriented. He received the ball better. He was a better block guy, better catch-and-throw guy.”

When Webb focused on his batting during summer ball, he returned for his sophomore year as a force. He led the league in both home runs and RBIs last year. He had another big summer this year, hitting 90 mph from the mound for the first time.

Now, Webb is playing on a Kansas City Royals scout team, against college teams, and in front of professional scouts. He dropped football this year to do so after being the first sophomore to start at quarterback in years.

As for what he can do in the two years before he reports to Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Taylor isn’t sure. But he’s looking forward to finding out.