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SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — When opponents see Hamilton West Side catcher Sam Scott chatting up the home plate umpire, they may think he’s angling for a close call or two later in the game.
But West Side coach Kenny Coomer says that’s not the case.
“That’s just the kind of kid he is,” Coomer says. “That’s his personality. He’s the kind of kid you can have fun with, but when it comes to game time, Sam will definitely give you all he’s got.”
The most demonstrative of the West Side players, Scott often can be seen pumping his fist after a big out or screaming “Let’s do this,” when a pitcher gets in a jam.
“I just tend to get really pumped up during the game, especially at this stage,” Scott says. “I’m just an emotional type.”
Sometimes emotions can cloud a player’s attention, but that’s not the case with Scott. He’s always in the game, even when it’s not a game.
At a Great Lakes Regional pool-play game which West Side was leading 9-0 in the fifth inning, Scott noticed an Illinois runner had missed home plate, something the coaches didn’t see. At Scott’s urging, Coomer called for an appeal and the runner was ruled out and the run taken off the board.
“He’s always thinking out there, but sometimes he thinks too much,” Coomer says. “He likes to go out and talk to the pitchers and go over game situations, basically trying to do our job.”
Scott only hit .267 in six regional games, but his on-base percentage was .500 thanks to seven walks. He also clubbed a home run, scored twice and drove in three runs.
“My job is to play defense and try to get on base,” Scott said. “I know it sounds bland, that’s what I do.”
Perhaps the play from the regional that best signified what Scott is all about came in the last inning of the championship game. West Side entered that frame leading 1-0.
The lead was 2-0 by the time Scott came up with one out. He hit a chopper up the middle and was easily thrown out, but he was pumping his fist as he crossed the base, knowing he had driven in another insurance run.
“That just comes from being a smart baseball player,” Coomer said. “A lot of kids I’ve coached would’ve just been mad that they didn’t get a hit, but Sam always sees the big picture.”
C
ontact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.
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