EMERSON, Ga. – The Doubleday Dodgers 18u, based out of Rome, Ga., arrived at the LakePoint Facility early Friday morning ready to begin the 2016 18u WWBA Memorial Day tournament. As soon as the team arrived they headed to the batting cages where it became clear that the focus of the team was to outhit the competition.
Just from listening to the sound of the ball off the bat of star outfielder/shortstop Trevyne Carter it’s clear that he is ready to treat the fans to a show this weekend.
Team organizer Charles Culberson talked before the team’s first game about the value these events have not only to the players on the team but also in an attempt to bring notoriety to baseball in northwest Georgia and to expand the Doubleday program.
“We’ve improved the program and they’re getting a lot better,” Culberson said, whose club went 1-2 in a tough pool at this same event a year ago. “We’re trying to get exposed to this type of atmosphere and by doing that we’re meeting other people and bring other quality players in just to try to make the program better.”
Commitment to baseball and to getting better is one of the facets that Culberson stressed about the program. The adjustment between playing at the local high school level and traveling to Perfect Game tournaments can be a steep one, but Culberson said he knows that these tournaments bring out the best in his team and allow for growth and development of their baseball skills.
This is an important part of any baseball player’s growth, but especially important to Carter who played three sports in high school. Carter averaged 13 points and six rebounds per game as a high school senior in basketball, seemingly his third-best sport, and was thought to be on track to be a NCAA Division I wide receiver at a high-profile program. Carter decided to focus solely on baseball and committed to play baseball at the University of Tennessee last summer.
This is great news for Carter as the one concern scouts had about him is that he might not have been getting enough time focusing on baseball. Carter admitted that he would love to be playing at Tennessee right now but was mindful to keep his mind focused and enjoy the present while improving his skills.
“I enjoy these moments, coming out here and playing with other high school kids,” Carter said.
Speaking to Culberson and Carter, they are not shy about their expectations for the team this summer, which starts at this weekend’s Memorial Day event at LakePoint.
“I think we’re going to compete this summer,” Culberson said of his team’s chances. “We did a lot better last year and I’m expecting (to be) a lot better this year with some of the kids we have on this team.”
“I believe we’ll win, that’s my expectation,” added Carter of his team on Friday. “That’s always my expectation.”
Culberson went on to talk about how the collegiate exposure is valuable for the top players in the program, but it is also important to introduce the players to the competition level and atmosphere of playing against top-tier talent. Seven of the players on his 18-man roster have committed to play at the next level.
“Sometimes (the players) have that small-town mentality,” Culberson said. “Sometimes they branch out and go ‘Oh wow!’ There’s a lot better baseball out there than what they’re used to and it’s causing them to have to step their game up a little bit.”
Carter echoed Culberson’s sentiments as he talked about the level of competition being the biggest difference for him.
“I think it’s more challenging, it’s a lot more fun and more intense,” Carter said grinning. “Pitchers usually throw a little harder, which I enjoy, and you usually have a lot more people making better plays than you do at the high school level.”
Carter is the No. 1 outfielder and No. 3 overall in the state of Tennessee for the Perfect Game class of 2016 rankings.
Carter, who is ranked the 135th overall player nationally in the Perfect Game class of 2016 rankings, is a terrific athlete who as noted has committed himself to furthering his career with a baseball-only scholarship with the University of Tennessee. Although being 6-foot-3, Carter runs a 6.5 60-yard dash and has the tools and feel of a strong defensive center fielder. He has a crisp swing from the left side of the batter’s box that was on full display on Friday as he launched a towering two-run home run to right field in the first inning. According to Trackman Baseball, the ball was hit 90.7 mph off the bat for a 337.4-foot blast.
The Dodgers started off the game by scoring early and often en route to a 10-5 victory over RBI Tri-Cities 18u Red. Carter, in addition to his blast in the first inning, added a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to extend the lead and ultimately leave the game out of reach. Carter split time between center field, his primary position, and shortstop during the course of the game, finishing 3-for-4 with five RBI and a pair of runs scored.
“I’m going to be moving around a bit,” Carter said before the game of his versatility. “I’m going to get some time at shortstop too.”
Grant Robinson also enjoyed a three-hit game, also going 3-for-4 with a pair driven in, leadoff hitter Teddy Bridges scored three times and starting pitcher Amos Willingham went the distance, scattering seven hits and a walk while striking out five. Only two of the five runs he allowed were earned.
Friday morning’s display certainly shows that all of the batting cage time is paying off for this team. If Tre Carter can continue swinging the bat the way he did in the first game, the team should have no problem living up to expectations placed by themselves and Culberson as they look to win their pool at this year’s 18u WWBA Memorial Day at LakePoint event.
The sound of the bat on the ball can tell a lot about a player and the sound in the batting cages this morning certainly did not lie about Carter.