Trust me--I could go on and on about this topic--with NO appolgies forthcoming. Here's another one--and one much much better than the local lefty we DID sign:
http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 6604230348
Tribe values 90 mph fastball at $9,000
William and Mary inks Lee pitcher to baseball scholarship
By Ken Bosserman
Sports Writer
STAUNTON — Robert E. Lee left-hander Tyler Truxell has inked scholarship papers to play baseball for William and Mary.Truxell impressed scouts at several showcases he attended during the off-season, and it paid off with a major Tribe scholarship.ADVERTISEMENT The Lee senior will receive a $9,000 grant, the largest of any incoming freshman baseball player at William and Mary. "That was a big honor," Lee head baseball coach Tim Zombro said. "He works hard both on the field and in the classroom."They liked the way he spots his fastball, and he has kept his arm in good shape. He should be able to step right in as a set-up man and also see some action in the outfield."Truxell admitted that the offer sort of came out of left field."They had a baseball showcase at their field last summer, and I got invited," he explained."There were a lot of schools and a lot of scouts there. I chose to throw from the outfield as well as from the mound, and took batting practice as well."Off the mound I was clocked at 88 mph in the first day of the showcase. On the second day, I was on Team Maryland, and I had a 90 mph in a game. That's where they got interested."Schools such as Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia also showed interest.William and Mary offered the scholarship during the fall."It's $14,000 to go there a year, and I will get $9,000," Truxell said. "I was their top recruit for their incoming freshman class.
I also had a scholarship offer from Liberty, but I felt William and Mary fits me both athletically and academically."At Lee, Truxell played basketball and baseball, but found the most success in baseball."I'm so excited to finally focus on baseball," he said. "It's always been my favorite. I love basketball, but everyone knew basketball wasn't my sport."Truxell began playing baseball in the Staunton Kiwanis Babe Ruth program. As a 13-year-old in Augusta Babe Ruth, he went to the World Series. He has played American Legion ball, and may play there or in the Rockingham County League this summer.He joined the Lee varsity as a freshman, and he's recorded at least five wins during each of his seasons.Truxell relies mainly on a fastball, using off-speed pitches as setups. As a batter, his career average is in the upper .300s.The Lee left-hander hopes to get his fastball into the lower 90s this summer."I think that's possible with a tough work ethic," he said."A baseball scholarship has always been my goal. I'd love to get drafted after three years, but I want my degree first. The Braves, Royals and Mariners have been in touch with me, and I did register for the draft. But it's not an option now." Originally published April 23, 2006
- By Humble_Opinion