TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Panthers Learning From Scrimmages

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

South Florida Community College outfielder Greg Smith slides into home in a recent scrimmage against Polk Community College at Panther Field.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 7, 2008

AVON PARK - The uniforms may have been practice gear, the scoreboard wasn't on and the voice of Hal Graves calling out one more trivia question was noticeably absent at Panther Field last Wednesday.

No matter. It was still baseball.

Fans filled the stands to get a glimpse of the work-in-progress South Florida Community College Panther squad, as they got in some key playing time against Polk Community College in a fall scrimmage.

The mood ranged from stoic to jovial in the SFCC dugout with every player cheering on their teammates up to bat and in the field.

"It doesn't matter that we don't keep score, we're still working our butts off to see where we are and where we need to be come January," SFCC pitcher Johnny Sedlock said. "It's a lot easier going through the fall schedule the second time around and knowing what's expected of you."
Sedlock was one of the Panthers selected to the Florida Community College Athletic Association (FCCAA) All-Star game on November 2nd. The former Avon Park standout was caught by surprise when he was told about his all-star selection.

"I was totally shocked when I found out," Sedlock said. "I didn't even know that was something that was around the corner, but I'm happy to represent SFCC at the event."

Joining Sedlock at the all-star game will be former Blue Streak pitcher Chaz Abeln, outfielder/pitcher Cameron Nelson, catcher Jerry Neufang and infielder Austin Gaines.

"Each of these players selected All-Conference last season or had quality numbers last year and were nominated by their respective coach," SFCC head coach Rick Hitt said. "We're happy for each of our guys who'll get an opportunity to play in this event.

"It is scouted professionally and is well attended by four-year colleges. It is a credit to these players for their work habits both on and off the field that has led to their selections."
Sedlock had a breakout first-year campaign for the Panthers, going 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA, 80 strikeouts in 91 innings, while Abeln went 8-5 with a 4.51 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 87 innings for the Panthers.

"I really learned a lot from last season," Sedlock said. "I've learned to keep a level head during the game and not come down on my teammates if they make a mistake, but forget it and move on to the next batter."

The mountain of innings that Sedlock endured last season weighed heavy on his back, which forced him to give himself a break from the game for the first summer in countless years.

"I pitched more innings than I'd ever had before and it caught up to me," Sedlock said. "I'm feeling a whole lot better with the rest and now I'm preparing myself to do even better than last season."

The Panthers will miss the power in the lineup that Brandon Decker and Steve Levine brought -- both combined for 31 home runs last season -- but many players believe that the 2009 team could be a better overall squad and expectations are again going to be set high.

Newcomer to the Panther dugout is former Sebring hurler Adam Simmons, who looked good on the mound against the Vikings, is taking his fall experience in stride, as he gets acclimated to the new level of competition.

"It's a great group of guys to learn from around here so the transition is going pretty good," Simmons said. "I'm just learning how to pitch at this level and it's good to see the teams that we'll be playing when the games really count."
Sedlock says that Simmons maturation process is going as expected and believes the former Streak will be a solid starter for the Panthers -- that is if he can take one tiny bit of advice.

"Keep the ball down," Sedlock laughed. "I remember one of my early games last season where I learned that lesson the hard way and a player crushed it for a home run. From that moment on, I kept the ball down."

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT