Charges Against Garrett Wittels Dropped

It's the type of story that, when you see the headline, you're hoping that it doesn't involve the one dude at Florida International University that you know.

But, unfortunately, it did.

Last December, FIU's star player Garrett Wittels was hit with rape charges and on Wednesday night, his lawyers revealed that the rape charges filed against the college junior have been dropped.

This, according to the Miami Herald:

Prosecutors announced in Bahamian court Wednesday that rape charges filed against Wittels, FIU’s star shortstop, and friends Robert Rothschild and Jonathan Oberti will be dropped Monday, his lawyer Richard Sharpstein told The Miami Herald.

Wittels and his friends were accused last December of sexually assaulting two 17-year-old American girls while partying at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort.

But authorities apparently decided the evidence gathered did not warrant proceeding with the case, which garnered national attention as it came amid Wittels’ failed pursuit of the NCAA hitting streak record.

Wittels' hitting streak was snapped in the Golden Panthers first game of the season, but dude since went on to have a pretty productive season, hitting .345 with a team-high 88 hits in 60 games.

Garrett Wittels Hit Streak Comes to an End

"It's been an amazing run," Garrett Wittels said following the season opener. "I'm so proud of myself. I'm about to go out in tears right now."

And like that...the streak was over.

There's going to be a lot of speculation as to what exactly led to the Florida International junior's 56-game hitting streak coming to an abrupt end Friday night in the form of a 10-2 loss against Southeastern Louisiana.

And, unfortunately, all the stories are going to bring up the pending rape charges stemming from that December 20 arrest in the Bahamas and speculate as to whether or not that incident has Wittels in a funk. 

That said...it is entirely possible that the Lions' Brandon Efferson and Stefan Lopez just had the pre-season All-American's number.

Any way you slice it...Wittels' pursuit of NCAA history is over.

Dude went 0 for 4 Friday night, leaving him two games shy of matching Robin Ventura's 58-game Division I record set in 1987 and four short of the NCAA all-divisions mark of 60 games by Damian Costantino of Division III Salve Regina from 2001-03.

"Eventually, honestly, I'll break history somehow," Wittels said following the game. "I know I'm second place in this, but I plan on playing baseball for a lot more years. And I'll break history another time."

To check out the interview The Hall of Very Good did with the shortstop a few months ago...click HERE.  And in case you missed the video, it was just a few days ago, that FIU cleared the junior to play.

Garrett Wittels to Talk to the Media...Sorta

To say that Garrett Wittels will start the upcoming season different than last year is an understatement.

The Florida International University hitting sensation begins the 2011 campaign not only with his 56-game hitting streak on the line, but uncertainty as to whether or not his school will let him play.

You see, while he has been practicing with the team, FIU has yet to make a decision on how they will handle the junior and his December 20 rape arrest.

One thing is for sure though. According to The Miami Herald, the shortstop is ready to talk…but not about his off season.

The Florida International University hitting sensation will answer questions about the upcoming season and his pursuit of a national collegiate batting record at a press conference next week.

But he won’t be discussing the rape charges against him. For that matter, the school is warning media outlets not to ask about the shortstop’s legal issues – and is threatening recourse if they do – at Wednesday’s press conference with Wittels and other members of the team.

“Due to the ongoing investigation, if any questions are asked regarding Garrett Wittels’ legal matter, not only will the question not be addressed, but the press conference will end immediately,” according to a press release issued by the schools athletic department.

When the Golden Panthers open their season later this week against Southwestern Louisiana, Wittels enters two games shy of equaling Robin Ventura’s collegiate record of 58.

This past July, The Hall was able to catch up with the NCBWA Preseason All-American...you can read the interview HERE.

Garrett Wittels Charged with Rape

It's the type of story that, when you see the headline, you're hoping that it doesn't involve the one dude at Florida International University that you know.

But, unfortunately, it does.

Last Monday, friend of The Hall, FIU baseball star (and owner of the NCAA's second longest hitting streak) Garrett Wittels and a group of friends were arrested in the Bahamas and charged with the rape of two 17-year-old girls.

According to online reports, the incident happened at the Atlantis Resort and Casino in Paradise Island on December 20. Wittels and his two friends were each released on $10,000 bond after a court hearing Thursday.

"Anyone can accuse anyone of anything at any time," Wittels' father Michael said in a piece that ran in The Miami Herald. "He's not doing well, obviously. He's blown away. He's devastated that someone would accuse him of this."

According to The Miami Herald:

Garrett (Wittels) and his friends met the girls in question at the Bahamian casino, and they later followed the young men willingly to a private party. Surveillance video exists, Michael Wittels added, showing the girls, and not the accused, were the aggressors, at least in public. The age of the girls, who passed themselves off as students at the University of Arkansas and were drinking in the casino, is not an issue in the case. The age of consent for sexual activity is 16 in the Bahamas.

Wittels' family wants to make clear that it was a personal matter, and not one involving FIU, as the arrest occurred far off campus and during winter break.  As to what affect the arrest might have on Wittels' eligibility for the upcoming season...it's too soon to say.

And while it is way to early to speculate, if the 20-year-old is able to resume play February 18, he'll have a chance to tie and break the NCAA hit streak record of 58 games (set by Robin Ventura in 1987) when FIU opens its season in a three-game series against Southeastern Louisiana.

This past July, The Hall was able to catch up with the third baseman...you can read the interview HERE.

Talkin' Baseball with Garrett Wittels

With the College World Series in the rearview mirror and the Mid Summer Classic on the horizon, the sportsworld has turned all their attention to…Miami?

Unfortunately, it is for all the wrong reasons. And yes, here is where the obligatory LeBron James comment would go.

Now, to shift the focus BACK to baseball, I recently had a chance to catch up with one of Miami’s favorite sons…Florida International’s hit king Garrett Wittels.

As some of you might know, Wittels is currently in a holding pattern. Last month, when the Golden Panthers season came to an end, the infielder had to put on pause his 56-game hitting streak.

HOVG: Who has your biggest influence and why?

WITTELS: One of my biggest influences in my life is my father. Believe it or not, it has nothing to do with baseball, but for how he goes about in his everyday life. He is an orthopedic surgeon and strives for greatness on everything he does. He has taught me that hard work always pays off and that you must stay even keel.

HOVG: Outside of the 56-game hitting streak…what has been your best baseball experience or greatest accomplishment?

WITTELS: I’d have to say that outside of the hit streak, my greatest accomplishment was winning the Sun Belt Championship this year. The 2010 FIU baseball team never gave up all season and we fought tooth and nail each game to be able to dog pile and win that ring. That feeling is the best feeling in all of sports.

HOVG: Who all has contacted you to wish you luck and what have they had to say?

WITTELS: Right after the season ended, the Florida Marlins invited me out to their game between them and the Texas Rangers to be on their pregame show, in-game telecast and hang out for batting practice. Guys like Cody Ross, Hanley Ramirez and Michael Young came up to me to congratulate me on our season and wish me luck next year hoping that I break the record and keep going. That had to be one of the highlights of my life for Major League players to come up to ME and recognize and talk to me. It was a pretty special day.

HOVG: Baseball is a game of superstitions…do you have any oddball things that you found yourself doing throughout the season?

WITTELS: Yes, I definitely have a lot of superstitions that I do on an everyday basis. To name a few, I always chew watermelon Bubblicious bubble gum during every game. I always get my wrist tapped the same way by the trainers at FIU and have many different handshakes with fellow teammates. There’s also my hair which I haven’t cut since the start of the season.

HOVG: Do you have plans yet for when break Ventura’s record or are you waiting?

WITTELS: I’m definitely not thinking about the record right now. I’m trying to get myself and the rest of my team ready to repeat as Sun Belt Champions and make a big run in the NCAA playoffs next year.

HOVG: Lastly, what advice do you have for the new king of South Beach, LeBron James?

WITTELS: Miami is going to go insane with LeBron here with the Heat. I love the idea of having one of the best basketball players of all-time play in the same city as me at the same time. Who knows, he may want to take in an FIU baseball or basketball game!

Wittels ended the season with 100 hits in the 56 games that he played…giving him a .413 batting average for the season. Just a sophomore in college, he has at least one more season at Florida International before he seriously decides if he wants to go into the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.

Currently, Wittels is one of the five finalists for the “Best Male College Athlete” award that will be handed out next week during the ESPYs on ESPN. You can (and should) go vote for him over at ESPN.com.

You have only one more day to get out and vote, so click THIS LINK now!