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FACA CLASSIC: Just Two Of The Guys

SEBRING’S SIMMONS, VAZQUEZ FIT IN WELL WITH FLORIDA’S BEST

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring’s Tony Vazquez (10) and Adam Simmons go all out during the 60-yard dash practice on the opening day of the FACA All-Star Baseball Weekend at Firemen’s Field.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 24, 2008

SEBRING — One of Adam Simmons's childhood goals was realized on Thursday when the Sebring senior walked out onto Firemen's Field, not as a Blue Streak, but as an All-Star.

"I've wanted to make this team for a while now," Simmons said. "It is a real honor to be in the same company as the best players in the state."

Simmons, along with teammate Tony Vazquez, took part in the batting and fielding practice that signals the beginning of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Baseball Classic, which has attracted 80 of the best senior baseball players in Florida along with scouts from every major league baseball team for the three-day event.

But Simmons is just hoping to be one of the guys.

"It's fun being around the guys," said the Sebring senior. "I'm just looking to do my best and hopefully good things will happen."

The two Blue Streaks, along with the other prospects, participated in batting and fielding practice before running the 60-yard dash for the scouts waiting with stop watches and clip boards.

Vazquez looked like a kid in a candy store while warming up before batting practice: The senior talked and joked with the other players and almost played the part of ambassador of the little town in Central Florida.

"Everyone asks me about Sebring and things to do," Vazquez said. "This is going to be a fun weekend."
Vazquez and Simmons recently signed scholarships with Polk and South Florida Community College, respectively, and affectionately have become rivals in the college ranks.

Polk and SFCC have had many epic battles on the ballfield and Vazquez hopes that tradition continues.
"I know that Polk and SFCC aren't in the same conference, but that doesn't mean there not rivals," Vazquez said. "I'm going to get in the weight room to bulk up and help my team any way I can."

When asked about the possibility of facing Simmons when he steps in the batter's box in college, Vazquez laughed.

"I respect him immensely as a pitcher," Vazquez said. "But I'm going to rip it."

The prospect of playing in the major leagues is something that is a dream for Vazquez, but this senior is just happy with what he's accomplished so far.

"I'm just really happy that baseball has given me the chance to go to college," Vazquez said. "Every kid would love to play in the big leagues, but right now college is my big leagues. I can't wait to get there."

The FACA All-Star Baseball Classic continues Saturday with a pair of games that begin at 11 a.m.

Extra Innings
TITLE TOWN: American Heritage's Eric Hosmer and catcher Adrian Nieto had heads turning during batting practice on Thursday. Hosmer and Nieto led American Heritage to the Class 3A state title on Tuesday.

"I've gotten a little slip since then, but also lots of celebrating," Hosmer said during warm-ups. "It was an amazing feeling to win the title. That is something we've been striving for, and to finally win it was just amazing."

Hosmer is the No. 5 ranked amateur prospect by Scouts, Inc. and Nieto is ranked No. 39. Both are expected to be picked high in the upcoming MLB draft.

NOT AN ABSOLUTE SCIENCE: Being a major league scout isn't all about scouting talent and weighing the numbers like many people think. The science of finding that diamond in the rough has become paramount to a team's success and the scout is on the front lines.

"We of course evaluate a player's physical tools," said Arizona Diamondbacks scout Luke Wren. "We see them run, throw and hit. Can they hit for power or hit it to either field? But there are so many intangibles that also factor into our scouting process.

"Many of these players are going to experience more failure at the next level than they've ever experienced in their life. So we have to see if they have the mental fortitude to take that kind of pressure."

Wren, a 24-year scouting veteran who played in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organization before moving upstairs, was one of 40-plus scouts on hand to evaluate Florida's best high school seniors.

One of Wren's prospects would have a hard time being drafted or making a team if a general scouting report was read on him today.

"I saw this kid and he played with such heart and loved the game of baseball," Wren said. "Most of the kids on this field today have better talent than this kid had. He didn't have all the tools, but you could tell he had that intangible that you look for in a ball player."

That player turned out to be David Eckstein, who would go on to win two World Series with the Anaheim Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals and was named World Series MVP in 2006.

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