Four baseball players sign at Bob Jones
Bob Jones baseball seniors (l to R) Trammell Shepherd, Zack Duvall, Coach Smith, Luke Whaley, Garrett Gillem (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Today is signing day at Bob Jones for four players who will lead what they hope is a resurgence of the baseball program under first year head coach Jared Smith.
Trammell Shepherd signed with Calhoun CC, Zach Duvall signed with UA Huntsville, Luke Whaley signed with Wallace State Hanceville, and Garret Gillum signed with UNA.
Practice started this week with throwing only, no batting practice is allowed until Jan. 25.
“It is a big signing class compared to the last few years,” Smith said. “It’s nice to have some guys who can play college level baseball especially in my first year. We’re expecting big things from them and hoping they can lead this team and I’m excited about seeing them play.”
Smith steps in to a program that has missed the playoffs the last two seasons but has a chance to show immediate improvement.
Duvall hit .312 last year to lead the returning players. Shepherd hit .266 with 15 RBI’s. Both had one home run. Smith will need the players to step up their power numbers and produce more runs this year. He talked about each player’s role.
“Gillem will play second and shortstop when Duvall pitches. He will also pitch, he is one of our hard throwers. Duvall is a three year starter and will return to play shortstop and he also pitches. Trammell Shepherd played centerfield last year and has also played third base. He will work at catcher just to give us some depth there. He is a versatile player and can play anywhere you put him. He is one of our better hitters and will be hitting at the top of the lineup. Luke Whaley will be our top starter, went 6-1 last year. He will lead the pitching staff and we expect big things from him.”
With 15 seniors and 13 juniors the team has depth that the previous coach David Langston never had. Smith said that he will need eight or nine pitchers to get through the season. He has an idea who his starters will be and expects strong competition for the remaining slots.
Smith came here from Dothan High School where he was head baseball coach for two years. He is a graduate of Phil Campbell High School. He has an undergraduate and masters degree in math education from the University of Alabama and teaches math at Bob Jones.
“I saw the posting and initially did not apply. I knew it was a good job. Matt Patterson called me and said I should apply. So I did and got an interview. I love it here so far. The administration has been great. They have given us what we need to be successful. The parents have been great and the players have had a great offseason.”
Smith points to a new outfield fence as the latest improvement. Now the team just needs some good weather, something that eluded last years team.
