When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center crumbled to the ground on Sept. 11, 2001, Cole White was sitting in a classroom in Midland, Texas and his perspective on his promising future changed.

He still wanted to play baseball in college, but now there were other activities that White wanted to pursue in college.

That change in perspective led White to pursue an education at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

After four years of college, White was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 42nd round in this year's MLB Draft. Now when Shawty Lo's "They Know" blares from the speakers at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, it is a sign that a base hit is coming. As of yesterday, White is riding a 12-game hitting streak and leading the State College Spikes in hitting with a .370 batting average.

"Coming into this, I knew that the competition would be a lot better, not that our college competition wasn't good," White said. "On a day-to-day basis you're seeing better arms, better teams, better outfielders that run balls down, better infielders that make the play that the college kid doesn't."

Most 42nd round picks do not flourish in baseball, while some aren't even bothered to be signed by their teams.

So there would seem to be an element of surprise by White's performance -- or not.

"I'm not surprised because I didn't know him," State College manager Brad Fischer said. "If I would have known that he couldn't play and then he started doing what he's doing, then I'd say, yeah, I would be surprised."

White has become a mainstay in the leadoff spot for the Spikes. Just recently he has been able to move to the outfield after spending the beginning of the season as a designated hitter. It was a precaution by Fischer and White because White had shoulder tendonitis, a condition resulting from White pitching at Army.

State College catcher Chris Simmons batted behind White in the cleanup spot at Army. The two have been friends since their freshman year, and Simmons knew that White would come into the lineup swinging.

"I was just waiting for him to do what's he's been doing," Simmons said. "He's been doing that ever since I've known him I knew it was coming, it was just a matter of time."

The transition from college baseball to professional baseball tends to be a difficult adjustment for some players to make.

Not for White.

Part of the reason may be that White has it a lot easier in State College than he did at West Point.

A regular cadet has a rigorous schedule at West Point, not including the already tough academics. Each cadet has to participate in some sport, whether it is intercollegiate, club or intramural. They also must go through military training.

"It was very demanding. Very demanding," White said. "West Point alone for anybody that goes there is a very demanding school, but you add hours and hours on top of the 20-hour schedule that you have, they don't cut athletes any slack. I remember one semester I had like 21 hours, I was playing ball and I didn't know if I was going to make it.

"It takes a lot of your freedoms away, you don't get to go out as much, a regular cadet may have a weekend off. You got a Saturday or Sunday doubleheader. It puts your priorities a little bit different."

While White is roaming the green outfields throughout the Northeast, he has friends from West Point who are overseas, fighting for the United States Army.

That's where White would have been -- not necessarily right now, but at some point -- had he and Simmons (who was drafted one round ahead of White) not been selected by the Pirates.

"A lot of guys I played with, a lot of friends I've gone to school with who are a little older than me they've been over there, they've come back, they've told us stories," White said. "Everything that they're doing over there is for a purpose and it's a good cause that they're doing. I take my hat off to every single one of them that go over there.

"I know a lot of them that I played ball with that have been over there would have loved the opportunity to play ball, but they love what they're doing right now. They know it's for the right cause and they're helping people over there. It's tough being in this situation because you kinda feel like you're obligated to be with your buddies that you went to school with and serve with them. I have the utmost respect for every single one of them over there."

White still owes a commitment to the Army, although it is up in the air as to what his future will be in the Army.

All West Point graduates must serve a 24-month commitment in the Army. White hopes to serve as a recruiter in the off-season for the Army so he is able to work out and prepare for the upcoming season. Still, there is some doubt.

"As of right now, we're just kind of waiting to hear from the Army to see what's going to happen," White said. "Hopefully, it will be recruiting in the off-season. We haven't heard anything yet, it takes awhile to process that. Best case scenario is recruiting in the off-season and work out and get better and get ready for the next season."

When White has a discussion with anyone and his education comes up, he instantly receives respect.

"If you tell anyone you went to West Point or graduated from West Point you get the respect automatically," White said. "It's like 'bam,' you don't have to do anything, which is a good thing and a bad thing sometimes, but it was my No. 1 choice. I wanted to play ball, and I wanted to serve. Graduating from there was the highlight of my life."