Weatherford Pitcher Bypasses Boston For University of Oklahoma

Originally Published: Jul 15, 2010 1:49 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

WEATHERFORD, Oklahoma -- Dillon Overton left the rolling hills and windmills of Weatherford and headed for Fenway Park in Boston last week.

The lefty, who was drafting in the 26th round, threw two innings for the Red Sox, striking out four of the six hitters he faced.

“I figured I would do pretty good, I was just really nervous because I was throwing on the Red Sox’s field. It was pretty nerve racking, I got through it, it was alright.”

Overton, who was named to the All-State team in his senior season with Weatherford, said the trip to Boston was life changing.

“It was probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had,” Overton said. “It very crowded though. Everything is just so crammed into one area, a bunch of big buildings, a lot of people walking around.”

Overton considered making the move to the big leagues and leaving the Sooner State behind, but ultimately saw his long term goal more important.

“They didn’t offer as much as I wanted, it wasn’t what I expected for how I threw,” Dillon said. “I figured if I go to OU, I’m just going to gain 15 or 20 pounds hopefully and I’ll go higher and get a lot more money in a few years.”

Staying in Oklahoma certainly wasn’t a consolation prize to the pitcher though, who’s been an avid fan of the University of Oklahoma since he was a child.

“I’m very excited, I can’t wait to start playing. I wanted to be at OU since I was a little kid. That was another one of my dreams besides going pro, so it was a win-win situation.”

“It means a lot, my family is a heck of a lot closer, I’m not going half way across the country,” Dillon said. “It makes it a lot easier for grandparents and people like that to come and watch.”