Lemoore High School's talented baseball center-fielder, Dominick Najar, recruited by Cal State East Bay

On Wednesday, Najar, accompanied by his father, Carlos, Mom, Deanna, sister Brayden, and fellow players and coaches, watched as he signed a letter-ot-intent to play baseball for the Cal State East Bay Pioneers.

The signing occurred in the Lemoore High School Event Center Lobby at lunchtime, where staff members, fellow players, and parents showed up.

The talented baseball player – according to this editor – plays the outfield like he owns it. Recently, Najar miraculously ran down a fly ball that he had no business catching, but somehow, he managed to outrun it by diving for the ball for a surprise out.

He quickly doubled up a baserunner for the out at second base. The catch ended what was a Tulare Union rally.

The Tigers ended up winning that game 7-6 and, so far, have compiled an impressive 17-4 season record. Lemoore is 11-0 in the West Yosemite League as they face Tulare Western tonight (May 3) and again on May 5 in Tulare.

The Tigers close out their league campaign with games against Hanford on May 10 (away) and in Lemoore on May 12 (home).

Like most baseball players, it was his parents that guided him toward the game of baseball. “My mom and dad put me in baseball when I was very young. I was like three years old. They put me in a little Hanford league, and then from then on, I just kept going. I loved it.”

He looks forward to playing college ball in the Bay Area. “I think it’s an awesome opportunity because not a lot of kids get this kind of opportunity. I feel I need to take advantage of this.”

Does he want to play baseball after college? “The goal is to play baseball as long as I can,” he told The Leader. “But for right now, it’s to get an education, get my bachelor’s degree, and see how baseball treats me there.”

Dominick Najor, bound for Cal State East Bay, with his head coach, Izzy Gonzalez.

Lemoore’s head baseball coach, Izzy Gonzalez, said Najar is an exceptional athlete. “He has exceptional speed on the bases and exceptional defensive skills in the outfield,” he told The Leader. “I’ve never seen a high school player make such incredible catches in center field like I have with him.”

Gonzalez added that Najar was a first-team player in the West Yosemite League last year and had no doubt he’ll earn another all-league spot this season.

Gonzalez also said he’s likely a shoo-in for the City-County All-Star Game, where he will represent Lemoore.

The year alone, Najar has compiled an impressive .320 batting average and .450 on-base percentage and has 25 stolen bases.

“He’s the nucleus of our team,” said Gonzales.