DEAL WITH DEVIL (RAYS) HART BASEBALL STAR TURNING PRO.Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Reluctantly rejecting a full athletic scholarship An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on their ability to play in a sport. They are common in the United States, but in many countries they are rare or non-existent. , 18- year-old Hart High graduate Jamie Shields has instead opted to sign a three-year contract with baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are a professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Florida. The Devil Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Devil Rays have played in Tropicana Field. . ``It was a tough choice, but I just have to follow my dreams now,'' Shields said of his decision to play with the Devil Rays rather than Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the main campus of the Louisiana State University System. . ``To get the opportunity to play pro ball is pretty exciting, and I feel like I can do a good job right now.'' Impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: by Shields' 93 mph fastball, the Devil Rays drafted the pitcher in a 16th-round selection. ``Other than the natural tools of his velocity, we liked his athleticism and his competitiveness,'' said Fred Repke, the Devil Rays scout who has been working with Shields. ``We were also impressed by his work ethic work ethic n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. work ethic Noun a belief in the moral value of work , and he comes from a solid family.'' Shields said his parents, Jack and Cindy Shields, allowed him to make his own choice. ``They're happy with whatever makes me happy,'' he said. ``They're just there to support me.'' Shields will report for an eight-week practice session in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sept. 17, then will return to Santa Clarita until spring training begins in March. Repke said Shields' performance during spring training will determine which city will be home to the Single-A minor league player. Coaches who have worked with Shields in recent years say they are not surprised by the determined teen's rapid ascent ASCENT Interventional cardiology A clinical trial–ACS Stent Clinical Equivalence in de Novo lesions Trial from high school star to professional athlete. ``He's been working for this day all his life,'' said Hart baseball coach Jim Ozella. ``When he gets out on the field, he believes he's the best and he takes the game to the end. He never gives up.'' Pitching coach Bob Keown added that Shields' natural talent and competitive spirit are only part of the reason for his success. ``When he gets out here on the field, he works harder than anyone and he loves every minute of it,'' Keown said. ``Playing for the Devil Rays is going to be a great opportunity for him.'' Sporting a brand-new Cadillac SUV, Shields said he received an advance payment from the Devil Rays, but declined to say how much money he will receive from the team. ``Money really wasn't an issue to me,'' he said. ``I just had to decide whether or not I really wanted to play right now.'' A back injury forced Shields to sit out most of last year's season. After months of intensive therapy, however, he said his back is in ``awesome'' shape. While Shields was discouraged by the injury and his inability to play the game he loves, Ozella called the experience ``a test of character.'' ``A lot of guys would have given up, but Jamie was determined to get himself back,'' Ozella said. ``The rehab tested him mentally, and I think it really showed what kind of player he is.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color -- ran in SAC Sac: see Sac and Fox. SAC - 1. An early system on the Datatron 200 series. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. edition only) Pitcher Jamie Shields of Hart High School Hart High School may refer to:
Shaun Dyer/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion