Josh Henderson is a home-schooled MLB Draft prospect

Josh Henderson has had interactions with Major League Baseball scouts before, but he couldn't help but be surprised by what he saw earlier this month.

As he walked to the field with the members of the Nansemond River (Suffolk, Va.) baseball team, there were more scouts in attendance than he could count on his 10 fingers. The fact that it wasn't even for an official game is telling about how precious a commodity it has become to see the talented senior in action.

Henderson is home-schooled, which according to state law means that he's not allowed to play for a team in the Virginia High School League.

He has spent countless hours practicing and training over the years with Nansemond River, which is the district he lives in, and became a college recruit and pro prospect because of the exposure he received by competing for the Evoshield Canes travel program.

"This year at one of (Nansemond River's) scrimmages, I looked out there and there were probably 14 or 15 scouts," Henderson said. "It's just a blessing."

Henderson is the fifth of six sons born to Sonya and Steve Henderson. His four older brothers all attended Nansemond River, while he and his younger eight-grade brother, Chris, are home-schooled. Their mother is a former public school teacher, and both of Josh's parents attended Hampton High School.

The Hendersons were among a group of families who testified March 1 at a state Senate hearing in support of House Bill No. 947, referred to by some as the "Tebow Bill." New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was home-schooled but allowed to play for a public high school in Florida.

The bill, which would have allowed home-schoolers to try out for sports at their local high schools, was voted down 8-7.

Although it likely wouldn't have given Josh Henderson the opportunity to play for Nansemond River, it could have helped his younger brother. Chris Henderson plays several sports and was hoping to play high school football.

Support of a bill such as HB 947 has been gaining steam in recent years, but this was the first year that a bill on the topic made it out of committee in the General Assembly. The bill received support from the Virginia House of Delegates in February, and the governor had indicated that he would sign it if it had reached his desk.

"We were given a chance to testify in front of the state Senate," Josh Henderson said. "I was speaking for my brother because I knew I wasn't going to be able to play. We just spoke in front of the Senate and told our story, but we lost by one vote."

For Josh Henderson, the family decision to be home-schooled is one that has brought some mixed emotions over the years, particularly as he got closer to being of high school age. Still, he has seen the value of learning from home.

"It was my parents' decision that it was the best thing for both (Chris and I), and we've been home-schooled since the second grade," Josh said. "It was very hard getting used to it especially when I was in eighth and ninth grade, and last year it was hard because (Nansemond River) made it to the state playoffs. I've adjusted to it but it can still be hard.

"All my older brothers went to Nansemond River and they all played football and basketball. For me that was such a big thing, but it's all good. It's my parents' decision and I respect them for that. Everything has worked out."

In terms of Josh's success on the baseball field, that certainly has proven to be true.

After playing for recreational and AAU teams as a youth, he joined the Canes a little more than two years ago. He played for them in tournaments in Marietta, Ga., and Jupiter, Fla., in 2010 and earned an invitation to the 2011 Perfect Game National Showcase last June.

At 6-foot, 185 pounds, the left-handed centerfielder played in the Perfect Game All-American Classic last August in San Diego.

Henderson is ranked No. 79 among MaxPreps.com's Top 100 players in the Class of 2012 and signed a national letter of intent to play for Liberty University last November. Throughout last year, he showed his natural abilities in various ways that were memorable to Canes coach Mike Petty.

"(Last June) in a tournament in Jupiter, at pretty much the biggest tournament for high school players, he had a pulled back muscle but on his first at-bat hit a home run," Petty said. "And probably the best example I can give of him came last summer in this game we were playing at Virginia Beach. We were down by one run in a tournament in the seventh inning and I had a runner on second base with no outs. Josh was my three-hole hitter, so statistically you'd want him to bunt the guy over, but with Josh Henderson, you just don't bunt. He hit a walk-off home run to win the game."

According to Petty, Henderson doesn't have as much speed as some centerfielders but is a natural at the position because of his ability to read the ball.

Henderson's character, Petty believes, might be his best attribute.

"He actually just showed up for a tryout about two-and-a-half years ago and just started hitting home runs," Petty said. "He's a very special player and defies all the odds about what everybody knows about baseball. He's got a natural swing and a lot of natural raw ability, but the thing that Josh possesses that 90 percent don't is his attitude. Whereas there are problems with some other kids with partying or women, that's not a problem with him. He's a very religious kid and just really a great kid."

Tom Lowe, who is an assistant with Nansemond River and has worked on hitting with Josh extensively over the years, agreed.

"He's a great athlete but he's an even harder worker," said Lowe, whose son, Brandon Lowe, has committed to play shortstop for Maryland and has grown up with Henderson. "If you want to know why he's good, it's because he's got a great work ethic. He lives right and he treats people right."

Although Josh's father, Steve, was all-district in baseball, athletic success in several arenas has followed the Henderson family. Josh's oldest brother, Tim Henderson, played basketball for the Naval Academy, while another of his siblings, Paul Henderson, ran track for Virginia Commonwealth.

His other two brothers, twins Philip and Daniel, each played basketball in high school.

"My brothers have had a big influence on me, especially my oldest brother," Josh said. "He's really been encouraging. And my faith has influenced me big-time. My parents have laid out a very strong Christian foundation for me and my brothers."

Josh, who is playing for First Baptist Christian (Suffolk, Va.) for his final prep season, is undecided about what he'll major in at Liberty.

Of course, there's a good chance he won't have to make that decision any time soon. If he's selected in the first 10 rounds of the MLB draft and the money is right, he said there's a "good chance" he'll sign directly out of high school.

The draft is scheduled for June 4-6.

"I've dreamed about playing Major League Baseball since I was a kid," Josh said. "I played basketball when I was about 7 or 8, but ever since then I've loved baseball. I'm excited about (the draft)."

Jarrod Ulrey has covered prep sports for ThisWeekSPORTS.com for 17 years and can be reached at julrey@thisweeknews.com.