From the time he entered Notre Dame-Green Pond's baseball program, Tyler Vail made his plans known to coach Mike Bedics. Pitching for a Division I program in the Atlantic Coast Conference was high on his list.

Vail wound up having three ACC programs pursue him. He officially chose one Wednesday, signing a national letter of intent with Maryland.

Wednesday marked the first day of the NCAA's early signing period for basketball as well as several other sports, including baseball, volleyball and gymnastics.

Vail, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior, chose Maryland over fellow ACC schools North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Big East member Saint John's. He plans to major in either sports management or criminal justice.

''The whole campus was beautiful,'' Vail said in a phone interview after signing his letter Wednesday. ''All the academics are very good. I think they've got a good package.''

Vail, who throws a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a change-up and a curveball, said he would most like to improve his curveball this season as he gets ready to pitch in college. He also wants to help the Crusaders reach the Colonial League playoffs after they missed out on all postseason play last year.

Vail was an honorable-mention choice for The Morning Call's all-area baseball team as a junior. Bedics said Vail's fastball has consistently been clocked at 90-91 mph and touched as high as 93 mph.

''He's gotten better and better every year,'' Bedics said. ''We knew when he came to us as a ninth-grader what possibilities he had. I still don't think he's reached his full potential yet.

''It's a really big moment for Tyler,'' Bedics added. ''This is something he's worked for since he got here as a freshman. He worked at it year-round to make him better. It's just a tribute to his work ethic.''
(The Morning Call 11/12 by Stephen Miller)