Linn-Mar senior Nate Greve struggled with the decision for several months, weighing the pros and cons as he contemplated his baseball career.

Should he play his senior year with the Lions and try to help them get back to the Class 4A state tournament? Or should he take a bold step and play for an elite travel team that might better prepare him for college baseball?

"It was a very tough decision," he said.

His heart was with the Lions, but he's decided to cast his lot with the Chi-Town Cream and skip the 2013 high school baseball campaign.

Greve informed Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner and his teammates last week.

"It's a hard one," he said. "I'm going to miss them."

Greve is a lefthanded pitcher and outfielder who was named second team all-state by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association last season. He compiled a 7-3 record and 1.34 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings and also hit .373.

Linn-Mar tied for the Mississippi Valley Conference title last year and finished with a 29-12 record after losing to Kennedy in the opening round of the state tournament.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm not upset with Nate," said Lechner. "I appreciate everything he's done for the program. We just have to move on as quickly as we can from it."

Greve has signed a letter-of-intent to play college baseball at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., for the 2014 campaign. He was recruited primarily as a pitcher, but plans to prepare himself as an outfielder and hitter as well.

He thinks playing for the Chi-Town Cream is the best way to get ready for college ball.

"I felt like going to Florida, I needed to prepare myself for Florida baseball," he remarked.

Greve has played for the Chi-Town Cream in previous years and has enjoyed the competition. Dakota Frese, a former all-state player for Cedar Rapids Washington, also played for the Chi-Town Cream on a part-time basis while in high school.

Greve said the Chi-Town Cream will begin the 2013 season in mid-May, about the same time the Iowa high school season begins. He has been training with the Chi-Town Cream this winter to get ready.