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A Perfect Fit in Medford By KRIS HENRY Jul 16, 2010 12:00 AM A A For someone born and raised in Klamath Falls, moving to Medford for your senior year of high school isn't exactly at the top of your "things to do" list. Given the rivalries that build through years of competition in various sports, such a move might as well come with a poke in the eye and a heaping dose of humble pie. Such was the world for Seth Brown one summer ago when the decision was made by his family to come to Medford and give his mother a rest from the constant commute here for her job at the Rogue Valley Manor. His immediate reaction? "I wasn't even going to move over here in the first place," says Brown, who turned 18 on Tuesday. "I wanted to stay and live with my grandparents in Klamath, but I finally decided to go ahead and make the move over." Despite initial trepidation, the move has more than paid off for Brown — and for the folks here in Medford. "It was pretty scary moving away from all my friends and coming over here not knowing what was going to happen," says Brown, "but they pretty much embraced me pretty quickly here. Playing for the Falcons, we hated Medford and all their good players, but I came over here saying that I'm part of the Medford teams now so I've just got to kinda let things go and meet things as they come." With the help of good friends Cory Haggans, Bradey Shipley and Travis Cash, Brown's introduction to life at North Medford High went fairly smooth. Things really picked up when he finally got to suit up for the Black Tornado during the spring baseball season, and now he's as comfortable in his surroundings with the American Legion AAA Medford Mustangs as any other player on the roster. "Seth has qualities in him that a lot of people lack and that's what's going to get him far in life," says Shipley, noting Brown's fun-loving nature as a main reason he's fit in so well in Medford. "He's an outstanding person as well as a baseball player. Seth is just one of those guys that you can always count on to be there." As much as Brown was counted on to help pave the way for North Medford in the spring, he's absolutely been tearing things up all summer for the Mustangs. His .472 batting average and 51 RBIs lead the team through 38 games, and he's also scored 43 runs as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup. In 142 at-bats, Brown has 67 hits and only four strikeouts to go with 19 walks. In the heyday of the Mustangs, when the regular season lasted anywhere from 50 to 55 games, Brown would be on pace to threaten a host of single-season records. But with only six regular season games to play, beginning with tonight's doubleheader at Harry & David Field against Roseburg Dr. Stewart's, he'll have to settle for the satisfaction of a job well done. "I'm definitely happy I made the move over here," he says. "I wouldn't change anything about my decision." In no way meant as disrespect to his former teammates, Brown believes the change of scenery has really helped him realize his capabilities on the diamond. "The competition over here is a lot more intense and that's really pushed me and made me a better baseball player," says the 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder. "Being around these players who are known all over the state has been a great experience." The Mustangs boast six players hitting over .400 and a team batting average of .395 — second only to the 2003 squad's final total of .407. With powerhouse contributions from the likes of Colin Sowers, Dan Katayama, Cody James, Matt Maurer and Ian Kendall, the Mustangs are averaging slightly over 10 runs per game and have reached double figures in five straight contests. "When you have people around you producing like that and putting up big numbers, it makes you want to push yourself and do your part to help the team, too," says Brown. That has also included a move to center field this summer for Brown, who played right field for the Black Tornado but simply fits a need in the middle of the outfield for the Mustangs. "It was kind of a surprise coming out the first game this summer and being in center field for the first time," says Brown, "but I've actually grown pretty comfortable out there and I like it a lot. It's definitely grown on me to play center field. I like the challenge out there." For his part, Mustangs manager Sandee Kensinger says Brown has proven himself in that spot from Day 1. "He's the fastest one of the bunch," says Kensinger, "and whatever he gets to he catches. He's really impressed me in that way. He's been a really good fit for us. He covers a lot of ground and he's got a strong arm and he's really been putting up big numbers for us in the three-hole all year long." While his defensive abilities allow Brown to be a complete player, it's evident that his real strength is when he steps into the batter's box. "I've always seen the ball well," he says, "but lately I've just kinda gotten in my groove. I've gotten in the place at the plate I want to be and a stance that's comfortable and it's all coming together for me right now. Attitude is a big part of it, too. I go up there thinking I can hit the ball no matter who's pitching, and you've got to have that confidence." Brown, who has six siblings and is the second-youngest of the bunch, initially had considered playing for Western Nevada College next season, but late interest from Oregon State University and a better financial aid situation has altered those plans. Brown says OSU assistant coach Pat Bailey contacted him a few weeks ago to gauge his interest in coming to Corvallis, but positive reports given to head coach Pat Casey from Kensinger, among others, sped up the process and has led to an invitation to tryout for the Beavers. "I was speechless for a while; I didn't know what to think of it," Brown says of catching the eye of the OSU staff. "As of right now I'm still in awe of getting the opportunity to make the team. It's really just an honor to be able to tryout for the team. I'd be privileged and happy just to make the team." Should he maintain his hard-working ways, Kensinger is confident Brown could one day be an asset to the folks in Corvallis as he has been here in Medford. "I believe he can play at the next level," says Kensinger. "If he goes to OSU, I'm sure he's about a year away so he can be a little stronger physically and mentally, but I told Pat there's no doubt the kid can play." Even if he has to look across the field and stare down his former teammates and friends in Klamath Falls like he used to do when facing the boys from Medford. When in town last Tuesday, he belted out a pair of home runs to help fuel a sweep of the Falcons. He finished the twin bill with six hits, seven RBIs and five runs scored. "What really impresses me the most about what he's done is that every time we've gone to Klamath, he's just torn it up and hit the ball all over the ballpark and out of the ballpark," says Kensinger. "That's impressive to me because a lot can go through a kid's head and he can kinda get psyched out a little bit with all that stuff, but man he's just gone over there and just raked." Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Seth Brown has flourished since his move to Medford from Klamath Falls last summer. - Jamie Lusch