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PB’s Pro Log II: July 1-August 4 By: Paul Bennett-August 4, 2006 It’s been a really long time since I’ve had the chance to write- or rather since I’ve made the time to write. A lot has changed since my last entry and that’s part of the reason the journals have stopped coming as frequently. Shortly after my last journal, right at the end of June, my playing time increased greatly. For the past month I have started essentially every game we’ve played and energy has been at a premium. When I’m not playing, I’m generally sleeping or trying to rest and have, as a result, slacked off significantly with my journal. Anyway, what a month July has been for me and for the team. We were on the road a huge portion of the month but still managed to claw our way into first place in the division. We now retain the luxury of having everyone in the league chase us but the misfortune of having everyone gunning for us. We played some fantastic baseball in July and it was fun to be apart of. At the beginning of the month I was starting to play really well and it looked as though I might break into the starting lineup. However, before I had the chance, our third basemen and lower-state standout Danny Brezeale went down with a foot injury and I was thrust into the role of everyday third basemen. Brezeale is one of our better players and I knew the team needed me to step up and play well in his stead. I decided that despite the potential pressure of my new role, I had taken hold of an opportunity that I had to seize; and that I had absolutely nothing to lose! Up to this point, I had been only a sub- playing only when guys needed a day off. Undrafted and unknown, I figured no one expected too much out of me. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that all I had to do was go out and play as hard as I possibly could for as long as I was given the chance. I decided to have the time of my life playing the only brand of baseball I know how to play- and it worked. Within a few games, I was moved from the 9-hole to the leadoff spot and began to embrace my role as the team’s “go-guy.” I have not, by any means, become the team’s best player but I have managed to discover a role that allows me to contribute to the team in a way that we needed sorely. I’d like to think that’s been my role on nearly every team I’ve played on- someone willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. I had always heard that professional ball is very different from all other levels- that it’s no longer a team game and that players only care about themselves. I’ve seen very little of that but I’ve learned, above all, that there’s always a place for guys willing to play team baseball and play it as hard as they can. In the past week or so, Brezeale’s injury has thankfully healed- we sorely need the power in his bat- and another infielder was sent back to us from the Rome team. We’re back to having five infielders for three infield positions so my role is inevitably shifting again. I may be back to playing every other day or I may be fortunate enough to play every day in the infield and outfield- filling in for guys around the field that need days off. Either way, the summer has been better than I ever could have imagined. We have a great group of guys and we’re fighting towards an Appy League championship. That’s all for now, my next entry will not be so delayed. Working hard and looking forward to a vacation in the Palmetto State after the season! To view Bennett’s statistics, click here. To view PB’s Pro Log I, click here. To view ‘What My Future Holds,’ click here. .

PB’s Pro Log II: July 1-August 4 By: Paul Bennett-August 4, 2006 It’s been a really long time since I’ve had the chance to write- or rather since I’ve made the time to write. A lot has changed since my last entry and that’s part of the reason the journals have stopped coming as frequently. Shortly after my last journal, right at the end of June, my playing time increased greatly. For the past month I have started essentially every game we’ve played and energy has been at a premium. When I’m not playing, I’m generally sleeping or trying to rest and have, as a result, slacked off significantly with my journal. Anyway, what a month July has been for me and for the team. We were on the road a huge portion of the month but still managed to claw our way into first place in the division. We now retain the luxury of having everyone in the league chase us but the misfortune of having everyone gunning for us. We played some fantastic baseball in July and it was fun to be apart of. At the beginning of the month I was starting to play really well and it looked as though I might break into the starting lineup. However, before I had the chance, our third basemen and lower-state standout Danny Brezeale went down with a foot injury and I was thrust into the role of everyday third basemen. Brezeale is one of our better players and I knew the team needed me to step up and play well in his stead. I decided that despite the potential pressure of my new role, I had taken hold of an opportunity that I had to seize; and that I had absolutely nothing to lose! Up to this point, I had been only a sub- playing only when guys needed a day off. Undrafted and unknown, I figured no one expected too much out of me. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that all I had to do was go out and play as hard as I possibly could for as long as I was given the chance. I decided to have the time of my life playing the only brand of baseball I know how to play- and it worked. Within a few games, I was moved from the 9-hole to the leadoff spot and began to embrace my role as the team’s “go-guy.” I have not, by any means, become the team’s best player but I have managed to discover a role that allows me to contribute to the team in a way that we needed sorely. I’d like to think that’s been my role on nearly every team I’ve played on- someone willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. I had always heard that professional ball is very different from all other levels- that it’s no longer a team game and that players only care about themselves. I’ve seen very little of that but I’ve learned, above all, that there’s always a place for guys willing to play team baseball and play it as hard as they can. In the past week or so, Brezeale’s injury has thankfully healed- we sorely need the power in his bat- and another infielder was sent back to us from the Rome team. We’re back to having five infielders for three infield positions so my role is inevitably shifting again. I may be back to playing every other day or I may be fortunate enough to play every day in the infield and outfield- filling in for guys around the field that need days off. Either way, the summer has been better than I ever could have imagined. We have a great group of guys and we’re fighting towards an Appy League championship. That’s all for now, my next entry will not be so delayed. Working hard and looking forward to a vacation in the Palmetto State after the season! To view Bennett’s statistics, click here. To view PB’s Pro Log I, click here. To view ‘What My Future Holds,’ click here. .

By: Austin Alexander-July 26, 2006 Eight teams, a town of crazed baseball fans and one full day of patriotism in Sumter on Wednesday was just part of the action on Day 1 of the 2006 South Carolina Legion Tournament. There were also four left-handed arms touching numbers in the 85+ range, one up to 91, two grand slams and fourteen hours worth of amateur baseball as each team worked toward a berth in the Southeast Regional. Game 1 Cheraw              000        100        004        5   10   1 Richland             000        000        400        4    7   2 WP: Cary Presson LP: Robbie Wilcox SV: Justin Lindsay Cheraw rallies for four runs in the top of the ninth inning and scores the go-ahead run on a wild pitch after a pitching dual entered the seventh frame. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 2 Rock Hill              020        300        000        5   6   3 Florence             210        407        00x        14 22  6 WP: Payne Parker LP: Bradley Byrd HR: Adam Hager (RH), Trey Lynch (F) grand slam Eleven runs in the middle innings, throttled by Trey Lynch’s grand slam, allow Florence to advance into the winner’s bracket. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 3 Greenwood        110        020        300        7  14 2 Gaffney              000        030        101        5  10  1 WP: Justin Lawson LP: Robbie Wilkins HR: Trey Wimmer (Gr) Trey Wimmer’s blast and Nick Milford’s three-hit performance propel Greenwood to two-run win. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 4 Murrells Inlet     000         000        0        0    2   3 Sumter              135         400        x        13  12  1 WP: Matt Talley LP: Kurt Petty HR: Allen Caldwell (S) grand slam Potent Post-15 bats, led by Allen Caldwell’s six RBI and six Sumter stolen bases, allow host team to cruise to Round 2. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Prospect Information Richland-Cheraw Robbie Wilcox (Dreher, 2006, signed with Brown), left, rolled through eight frames with a sinking fastball at 84-85 and pitched off of #1 well. He complemented it with a slurvy breaking pitch that was 69-70 and a get-me-over curveball at 64-65. Wilcox is primarily a two-pitch guy but pounds the bottom of the zone with late movement. His delivery is slow developing with a very deliberate lift to balance but has a quick arm from a mid-3/4 slot. . Houston Taylor (Chesterfield, 2005) matched zeros before departing in the seventh inning, he did it with a heavy sinking fastball that was 83-85 from a low arm angle. He featured a hard slurve at 75-80 that served as his out-pitch on this day. Like Wilcox, he attacked Richland hitters at the knees until he tired during a four-run inning. . Justin Lindsay (Chesterfield, 2006) is unsigned and very interesting. He is 6-6/175 and left-handed with arm strength. He came on to record the 27th out a earn a save, he did so with a fastball at 84-87 from a mid-low ¾ slot and an above average slider that bit hard down and in on a right-handed hitter, it was 78-79. Didn’t get to see much out of Lindsay because he only faced one batter but showed every sign on the bump of a guy worth making a call about for a school still looking for help on the mound. . Doug Allen (Dreher, 2007) squared up two balls early in the game and showed some arm strength. . Todd Stoudenmire (Dreher, 2005, attends the College of Charleston) showed some arm strength and cruised under several balls in centerfield. He also turned in two quality running times from the left-side, 4.3 on a groundout and 3.97 on a bunt. . Other players of note: Will Lewis (AC Flora, 2006, signed with Washington & Lee) and Justin Strauss (Dreher, 2007)… Rock Hill-Florence Bryan Wilson (West Florence, 2005, attends Francis Marion) was the top position player on the field in this game. He swung the bat from the left side, ran well (3.92 on a bunt) and floated to every fly ball near centerfield. . College of Charleston-bound infielder Barrett Kleinknecht (West Florence, 2006), left, made his presence felt as well. He made play after play with solid arm strength at shortstop though he projects as a third baseman. He also showed some pull-side juice, and plenty of it. In past viewings he’d shown a backside approach and swing; today Kleinknecht showed why he may be able to hit in the middle of the Cougar line-up. . Trey Lynch (South Florence, 2006, signed with Erskine) showed juice in his bat and has good quarterback skills behind the dish to go along with solid arm strength. . Future Coastal Carolina right-hander Phillip Mozingo (West Florence, 2006) departed early in this one. He was 85-86, touching 87 in the first with a curveball that was 69-70. Mozingo appeared tired. In my previous viewings, he showed more arm strength, a better breaking ball and more command. . Bradley Byrd (Camden Military Institute, 2006, signed with VMI) started on the mound for Rock Hill and was 86-87 out of the chute but did not miss many Florence barrels. . Left-hander Cam Walters (Northwestern, 2007) worked in relief and pitched at 83-84 bumping 86. His breaking ball is solid and he throws it for strikes. He showed good stuff in this outing but his fate would be similar to Byrd’s as Florence continued to hit. . Austin Smetana (West Florence, 2007) impressed during the pre-game with a strong arm from rightfield. . Payne Parker (South Florence, 2006, signed with Erskine) worked at 79-81 in relief and showed pitch-ability with some deception. . Other players of note: Josh Salay (Rock Hill, 2006, signed with Winthrop) and John Taylor (Wilson, 2007)… Greenwood-Gaffney Brandon Miller (Emerald, 2007, committed to South Carolina), right, was just half of the match-up of quality southpaws in this one…He rolled through hitters for the first four innings with a fastball that …

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By: Austin Alexander-July 26, 2006 Eight teams, a town of crazed baseball fans and one full day of patriotism in Sumter on Wednesday was just part of the action on Day 1 of the 2006 South Carolina Legion Tournament. There were also four left-handed arms touching numbers in the 85+ range, one up to 91, two grand slams and fourteen hours worth of amateur baseball as each team worked toward a berth in the Southeast Regional. Game 1 Cheraw              000        100        004        5   10   1 Richland             000        000        400        4    7   2 WP: Cary Presson LP: Robbie Wilcox SV: Justin Lindsay Cheraw rallies for four runs in the top of the ninth inning and scores the go-ahead run on a wild pitch after a pitching dual entered the seventh frame. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 2 Rock Hill              020        300        000        5   6   3 Florence             210        407        00x        14 22  6 WP: Payne Parker LP: Bradley Byrd HR: Adam Hager (RH), Trey Lynch (F) grand slam Eleven runs in the middle innings, throttled by Trey Lynch’s grand slam, allow Florence to advance into the winner’s bracket. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 3 Greenwood        110        020        300        7  14 2 Gaffney              000        030        101        5  10  1 WP: Justin Lawson LP: Robbie Wilkins HR: Trey Wimmer (Gr) Trey Wimmer’s blast and Nick Milford’s three-hit performance propel Greenwood to two-run win. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Game 4 Murrells Inlet     000         000        0        0    2   3 Sumter              135         400        x        13  12  1 WP: Matt Talley LP: Kurt Petty HR: Allen Caldwell (S) grand slam Potent Post-15 bats, led by Allen Caldwell’s six RBI and six Sumter stolen bases, allow host team to cruise to Round 2. To view entire game summary, click here for link to The Item. Prospect Information Richland-Cheraw Robbie Wilcox (Dreher, 2006, signed with Brown), left, rolled through eight frames with a sinking fastball at 84-85 and pitched off of #1 well. He complemented it with a slurvy breaking pitch that was 69-70 and a get-me-over curveball at 64-65. Wilcox is primarily a two-pitch guy but pounds the bottom of the zone with late movement. His delivery is slow developing with a very deliberate lift to balance but has a quick arm from a mid-3/4 slot. . Houston Taylor (Chesterfield, 2005) matched zeros before departing in the seventh inning, he did it with a heavy sinking fastball that was 83-85 from a low arm angle. He featured a hard slurve at 75-80 that served as his out-pitch on this day. Like Wilcox, he attacked Richland hitters at the knees until he tired during a four-run inning. . Justin Lindsay (Chesterfield, 2006) is unsigned and very interesting. He is 6-6/175 and left-handed with arm strength. He came on to record the 27th out a earn a save, he did so with a fastball at 84-87 from a mid-low ¾ slot and an above average slider that bit hard down and in on a right-handed hitter, it was 78-79. Didn’t get to see much out of Lindsay because he only faced one batter but showed every sign on the bump of a guy worth making a call about for a school still looking for help on the mound. . Doug Allen (Dreher, 2007) squared up two balls early in the game and showed some arm strength. . Todd Stoudenmire (Dreher, 2005, attends the College of Charleston) showed some arm strength and cruised under several balls in centerfield. He also turned in two quality running times from the left-side, 4.3 on a groundout and 3.97 on a bunt. . Other players of note: Will Lewis (AC Flora, 2006, signed with Washington & Lee) and Justin Strauss (Dreher, 2007)… Rock Hill-Florence Bryan Wilson (West Florence, 2005, attends Francis Marion) was the top position player on the field in this game. He swung the bat from the left side, ran well (3.92 on a bunt) and floated to every fly ball near centerfield. . College of Charleston-bound infielder Barrett Kleinknecht (West Florence, 2006), left, made his presence felt as well. He made play after play with solid arm strength at shortstop though he projects as a third baseman. He also showed some pull-side juice, and plenty of it. In past viewings he’d shown a backside approach and swing; today Kleinknecht showed why he may be able to hit in the middle of the Cougar line-up. . Trey Lynch (South Florence, 2006, signed with Erskine) showed juice in his bat and has good quarterback skills behind the dish to go along with solid arm strength. . Future Coastal Carolina right-hander Phillip Mozingo (West Florence, 2006) departed early in this one. He was 85-86, touching 87 in the first with a curveball that was 69-70. Mozingo appeared tired. In my previous viewings, he showed more arm strength, a better breaking ball and more command. . Bradley Byrd (Camden Military Institute, 2006, signed with VMI) started on the mound for Rock Hill and was 86-87 out of the chute but did not miss many Florence barrels. . Left-hander Cam Walters (Northwestern, 2007) worked in relief and pitched at 83-84 bumping 86. His breaking ball is solid and he throws it for strikes. He showed good stuff in this outing but his fate would be similar to Byrd’s as Florence continued to hit. . Austin Smetana (West Florence, 2007) impressed during the pre-game with a strong arm from rightfield. . Payne Parker (South Florence, 2006, signed with Erskine) worked at 79-81 in relief and showed pitch-ability with some deception. . Other players of note: Josh Salay (Rock Hill, 2006, signed with Winthrop) and John Taylor (Wilson, 2007)… Greenwood-Gaffney Brandon Miller (Emerald, 2007, committed to South Carolina), right, was just half of the match-up of quality southpaws in this one…He rolled through hitters for the first four innings with a fastball that …

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