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Owasso's Kirk, Cubs reach deal

DONE DEAL
Austin Kirk: The Owasso grad says he's glad negotiations are over and he can focus on playing baseball.

 
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 7/22/2009  2:27 AM
Last Modified: 7/22/2009  4:44 PM

 Former Owasso pitcher Austin Kirk and the Chicago Cubs came to terms Tuesday on a professional baseball contract, as first reported on tulsaworld.com.

The third-round pick in the June amateur draft, the 2009 Tulsa World Player of the Year will leave Wednesday for the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz.

"I'm very happy with the contract," Kirk said. "The total package is worth more than $400,000."

Kirk said he found the process challenging.

"It was a little more difficult than we thought," he said. "So much of the negotiations were things I never really thought about before. The process took a little longer than I thought, but in the end I think it paid off. All I have to do now is focus on baseball."

The Cubs told the hard-throwing left-hander that he could be assigned to the organization's short-season Boise team before the end of the summer.

"I'm excited to get the process going," Kirk said.

Part of the package includes a trip for Kirk's family to attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field this fall. While there, Kirk will have the chance to work out in the bullpen with the Cubs' staff.

"I'm really looking forward to that," Kirk said.

In addition, the Cubs have already tabbed him for the instructional league in Mesa this fall, Kirk said.

Kirk was 9-1 with a 0.45 earned run average and 111 strikeouts this season for the three-time state champion Rams. In three seasons at Owasso, Kirk compiled a 23-1 record and 1.38 ERA with 224 strikeouts.

Said Owasso coach Larry Turner, "I'm excited for Austin. Maybe down the road we'll see him with the Cubs and Pete (Kozma) with the Cardinals. Or possibly even the Marlins with (Dallas) Trahern."

Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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12 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Owasso's Kirk signs with Cubs," which was published on 7/21/2009.
Report Comment
shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (7/21/2009 2:22:16 PM)
Maybe I will stop by Hohokam Stadium and see how he does in the Rookie League. Congrats!
Report Comment
turtle6602, (7/21/2009 3:33:28 PM)
Go Cubs Go!!!!!!
Report Comment
The ORIGINAL Adman, (7/21/2009 3:36:03 PM)
Go Cubs Go!
Report Comment
Pokes fan, (7/21/2009 3:37:48 PM)
Those Owasso boys are studs!
Report Comment
BayouGirl, Owasso (7/21/2009 7:15:56 PM)
Another Owasso Baseball success story. Congrats Owasso for raising great ball players!!! Owasso truly deserves the state championship title!
Report Comment
Verysecure, bixby (7/22/2009 7:20:10 AM)
I watched this young man pitch and he was truely awesome. He deserves to be in the elite group that he is in for all of the hard work that he has put into it. Well done Austin.
Report Comment
Rhymeister, Tokyo, JPN (7/22/2009 7:22:24 AM)
Congrats, best of luck young man.
Report Comment
strfish99, Collinsville (7/22/2009 8:28:38 AM)
Great Job Austin, we are proud of you, go get'em.
I will be following your progress with the Cubs.
Report Comment
JoJo, (7/22/2009 8:41:56 AM)
I hope these young men don't forget to give back to their high school.
Report Comment
tulsatk74115, Tulsa (7/22/2009 3:29:05 PM)
Congratulations on your contract signing. I wish you luck with your professional career. Please do not forget that you will still need to get a college education as baseball will not be there forever.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (7/23/2009 6:34:24 AM)
Owasso owes him as much as he owes them and if he wants to go to college that's his business. Congratulations kid. Don't spend it all in one place and take care of your arm.
Report Comment
brb549, (7/23/2009 12:15:20 PM)
tulsatk74115, You need to tell that to Nolan Ryan. Aussie, you take care of your body/arm and you can last a long time in this sport. Very proud and excited for you. It's still surreal from that night at your house when they announced your name to now you actually having signed and are a Cubby! Pretty awesome dude. The most important thing to remember is "Whose" you are. Be a great example for those you come in contact with. They need to see you're a Christian who happens to play ball not a ball player who happens to be a Christian. Go get 'em AK.
 

 
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