Tyler Vail spent his Tuesday afternoon gathered at a table with family and friends at Starters Riverport in Bethlehem.

"Everyone was in a big circle," Vail said, "and we were all checking out our phones. Then, it popped up."

The 18-year-old Notre Dame High School of Green Pond graduate was selected in the fifth round -- with the 155th overall pick -- of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday. Vail, a right-handed pitcher, was watching the draft ticker on the mlb.com website when he saw his name pop up as a selection of the Oakland Athletics.

"I was shocked. I was excited. I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my life," he said. "This is what I've been working for since I started playing baseball ... it's kind of amazing to realize it really happened.

"I just started hugging everyone."

Athletics scout Mark Sowers then called Vail to confirm the pick.

The Colonial League MVP -- he went 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and batted .492 as a second baseman, Vail said he spoke with scouts from the Mets, Red Sox, Padres and A's over the past couple days. He expected to be chosen between the third and sixth rounds.

"They asked me all kinds of stuff -- am I healthy, if the money is still good -- other questions like that," he said. "All I told them was I was looking to be drafted in the first 10 rounds."

Vail, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, must now decide whether he wants to sign with the Athletics or accept his scholarship to play at the University of Maryland.

He said he plans to discuss the situation with his parents, Ron and Linda Vail of Palmer Township.

"Right now I'm leaning toward playing pro ball," Vail said.

His pitching days at Notre Dame this season became a major-league event.

During an April game against Pen Argyl, Vail pitched with seven scouts in attendance and was consistently registering between 87 and 90 mph on the radar gun.

Notre Dame coach Mike Bedics said Vail's velocity increased through the season and the pitcher hit 95 mph during a District 11 game against Pine Grove -- a 12-2 Crusaders loss.

"Over and over, you heard they liked Tyler's velocity and his potential," Bedics said of conversations with scouts. "They wanted to know how he was perceived by his teammates, coaches and teachers. They just want to be certain they know their investments."

Vail said if he decides to sign with Oakland, he is likely to be placed in a short-season league in Arizona with other young draft picks. He would then attend spring training with the club next spring and be placed at a minor-league level.

Vail realizes it's a long road ahead to one day pitching in the big leagues. But he appears ready for the challenge.

"If I work hard and advance through the farm system," Vail said, "maybe I can make it in like three or four years. But I've got to keep working hard. I'm ready."

Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or mblouse@express-times.com. Talk about sports in the region at lehighvalleylive.com/forums.