Even though he has another year to make his decision official, Oxford Hills catcher Matt Verrier figured there was no point in waiting.

Verrier announced Tuesday that he has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine on a baseball scholarship starting in 2010.

“Maine felt like the perfect fit for me, and I was ready to tell them that was where I wanted to be,” Verrier said.

The junior from Paris has known Maine baseball coach Steve Trimper since his freshman year and has attended a number of baseball camps in Orono.

“He’s a special guy,” Verrier said of Trimper. “He really gets his team motivated and is very knowledgeable about the game. I don’t think there are any other coaches similar to him besides (Oxford Hills coach) Shane Slicer. They’re pretty similar.

NCAA rules prohibit Trimper from commenting on Verrier’s decision until he signs an official National Letter of Intent. The signing period for Verrier’s class begins in November of 2009.

Slicer, whose roster has included Houston Astros prospect Garrett Olson, described Verrier as a great competitor, team leader and “probably the most dedicated baseball player I ever had.”

“I don’t have to tell him to work hard,” he said. “It’s just automatic.”

“I think for him it was a great choice, just to relieve some of the pressure. He puts a lot of pressure on himself,” added Slicer, who played for John Winkin at Maine. “As a person, he’s outstanding. He’s a great kid.”

Verrier has been the Vikings’ starting catcher and No. 3 hitter since his freshman year. He is a two-time KVAC first team all-star and has been named to Frozen Ropes’ underclass all-star team each of the last two years. He has also competed in American Legion baseball for Bessey Motors, making the state all-tournament team in 2007, and for the Frozen Ropes college prep team.

Lewiston baseball coach and Cincinnati Reds associate scout Todd Cifelli, another Maine alum, invited Verrier along with some of the state’s top baseball players to a tryout the Reds held in Massachusetts last June. Verrier impressed with his hitting and catching skills.

“We matched-up the high school kids and he had two at-bats. The first one he smashed between third and second. The next time up, he hit one out in left-center,” Cifelli said. “He’s always been able to hit. He has great bat speed. The thing that’s always impressed me is he’s continually trying to get better, he’s continually trying to improve his skills.”

“I would have to say he’ll be the best catcher in the state as a junior,” added Cifelli, whose Blue Devils face Verrier in the KVAC. “He’s such a leader behind the plate. He’s a quarterback behind the plate.”

Verrier has played for a number of former Black Bears, including Slicer and Frozen Ropes coaches Nick Caiazzo and Mike Coutts, and said he wants to build upon the tradition those homegrown players have established.

“I know about the history of the College World Series that they appeared in. Baseball and hockey up there are the number one sports, so that’s pretty cool,” Verrier said. “The campus is great and I like the kids on the baseball team. They get it. They bring everybody in and treat them fairly.”

The son of Leah and David Verrier, the Paris police chief, Matt drew interest from UConn, St. John’s, Virginia and Franklin Pierce. Staying in Maine, close to his family and friends, was an important consideration, he said.

“I want to represent my state. I’m a Maine player,” he said. “It’s closer for my family and friends to watch me play.”

“My mom keeps my head on straight and keeps me going forward,” he added. “We’ve had to sacrifice as a family for my baseball. My brother (Cole) and sister (Heather) have had to go to all of these things for me. I love them a lot, and they support me going to Maine.”

“It’s wonderful for Matt and his family, and also I think for our baseball community to be able to watch a D-1 player go through, especially since you’ve got two more years,” Slicer said. “I hope people come out and watch him because he’s special. People like that don’t come around very often.”