AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL
Quite a catch
MIKE HENRY
Herald Staff Writer
June 25, 2003
BRADENTON - Brian Peacock wasn't that interested in
a signing bonus or a guaranteed contract. It was a Rook Tournament
he plays every summer?
His strongest argument to sign with the Oakland A's was seeing how
he stacked up against good players from other areas of the country.
"When I got drafted (in the 22nd round), I had mixed feelings," Peacock
said. "I wondered what it would be like to compete against first,
second and third-round picks."
After talking it over with his family and friends, the Palmetto High
graduate decided it would be better to defend his Rook Tournament
Championship with Scott Eason this summer and play baseball at Manatee
Community College, where he should have an excellent chance to start.
"As far as baseball is concerned I'm comfortable about staying here
because it gives me a chance to get stronger and hopefully become
more valuable for the draft next year," said Peacock, who in addition
to playing is working out at Gold's Gym. "Defending the Rook Tournament
championship is by far the biggest hurdle in my life right now!"
Peacock and his Legion teammates (14-3) are competing this week in
the 32nd annual, 20-team Firecracker Tournament in DeLand, where they
face Fort Pierce at 9:30 a.m. today and Jacksonville at 5:30 p.m.
Post 24 plays host next week to the 16th annual Veterans Memorial
Tournament, with games at G.T. Bray Park, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota
High.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Peacock, who has been a catcher throughout
his youth career, drew the attention of A's scouts accidentally reading
about the Rook Tournament on the internet and later with his moxie
in handling pitchers, as well as his strong arm and excellent footwork.
"I got emails from several major league teams who research baseball
players via the internet," said Ken Burton, Jr. Rook Tournament Director.
"They found his name on a search engine and came to the Rook
site. Apparently they look for well rounded players these days."
"We allow him to call the pitches, and he is real good at that part
of the game," Post 24 coach Dwayne Strong said. "Catching can be a
thankless job, but Brian enjoys being back there. That's one thing
that makes him as good as he is. He loves seeing the game unfold in
front of him."
"Brian probably has the quickest release I've seen in a high school
kid in a long time," added Pat Cline, a former Triple A catcher and
part-owner with Strong of The Sandlot @ 5Tools Baseball school in
Bradenton. "He fits the description (of a professional catcher) real
well. His hands and footwork are excellent, and he is a rugged guy
and a team leader."
Peacock can't remember when he didn't relish putting on the chest
protector, mask and shin guards and crouching behind the plate. "It's
like when it is your chance to deal the cards!" he added.
"Blocking a 90-mile per hour pitch in the dirt isn't too fun. You
have to want to do it," Peacock said. "The thing I really love about
catching is you are always in control. When you and your pitcher are
working well, you get a feeling like your gonna turn a 220."
Peacock has the confidence of Post 24's high-powered pitching staff,
which includes such standouts as Ryan LaCross and Brent Solich from
state champion Lakewood Ranch; Jordan Berry of Manatee; Casey Hudspeth
from Sarasota and former Palmetto teammates such as Craig White.
"Brian is a student of the game and opposing hitters," White said.
"I feel comfortable with him back there because he knows what pitches
to call at certain times. He may know a guy is sitting on a fastball
on a 3-1 count, so he'll call for a curve.
"His teammates feed off his energy. He works hard and he's always
up in the dugout, even if we're behind 10-0."
According to Burton the Rook Tournament is a different
story.
"I have to give the boys credit for winning the Tournament last
year but a repeat has only happened twice. They are still pretty
much novices compared to the talent level of the Tournament.
Everyone in the family will tell you that winning the Rook Tournament
helped Brian in the baseball draft at least 5-10 rounds." Burton
said.
Besides the Rook Tournament two of Peacock's main
goals this summer are to help Post 24 win the Veterans Memorial Tournament
for the first time and to capture a state Legion title. Post 24 lost
in last year's state final against Sanford Post 53.
"We won the Rook Tournament and were right there last year at
state," Peacock said. "That is what I've been working for my
whole life, to have a chance to win a state title and Rook Tournament
in the same year."
Along the way, he is striving to become a more complete hitter and
Rook Tournament partner.
"Brian needs to take a more disciplined approach to hitting and know
what he is capable of and what balls get him out," Strong said. "A
lot of young guys know they can't handle a ball inside, but they'll
swing at it anyway and get themselves out.
"As he keeps growing in that area, he has the opportunity to be the
total package as a catcher."
"Scott keeps telling me I need to work on my
discarding and color selection." Peacock added when asked how
he can improve his Rook play.
