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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 11, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2004 Piece of the puzzle Crater’s Adam Reed was a big factor in the Comets’ successful run last season By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Adam Reed merely considers himself a piece of the puzzle as it relates to the Crater baseball team. It’s a typical philosophy for the 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior, who takes a low-key approach to the game. "I wouldn’t put myself as one of the leaders on the team," says Reed. "I’m not that kinda guy. I just try to do my job and do what I can for the team." Being one of 10 seniors on the varsity squad might foster that philosophy in any player, but Reed is far from the bit player he tries to project. He was one of only five underclassmen named first-team all-conference last season and the only third baseman among five infielders on the list. Advertisement Reed took his game up a notch when Crater needed it most toward the end of last season, finishing as one of the Comets’ top hitters as they made a late-season push to the state playoffs. In a conference-seeding playoff against Roseburg, Reed supplied two hits and two RBIs as Crater secured the Southern Oregon Conference’s No. 4 spot in the state playoffs with a 7-5 victory. "He was one of the big factors last year toward the last quarter of the season," says second-year Crater coach Jim Powell. A move to shortstop in the off-season was supposed to allow Reed an opportunity to anchor the defense among a host of returners, but all that hit a hiccup last week when the unthinkable occurred. During pregame warmups against McMinnville on March 23, Reed slid over to cover second base like he’d done countless times before in practicing his double-play routine. Only this time, the relay throw from first base skimmed the top of Reed’s glove and smacked the senior in his right eye. He had to be helped off the field and to the hospital, where he received 12 stitches to close a cut under his right eye and instructions to back off baseball for a little while. That break lasted all of seven days as Reed returned to what’s already been a makeshift Crater lineup due to injuries. He was back in the lineup as the Comets opened SOC play against co-favorite South Medford. "It was definitely a lift (Tuesday) to have him back," says Powell. Despite having his vision blurred, Reed laced a key double and swung the bat as well as any Comet in a 3-1 loss to the Panthers. "He came back more eager and looked like he was ready to help carry the load with the other seniors," says Powell, who only days before had predicted a longer absence of Reed to the lineup. For his part, Reed says it’s a bit of a tossup on what has been worse: the pain endured after being hit by the baseball or the ridicule taken from teammates on an admittedly embarrassing faux pas. "There’ve been some jokes," says Reed, "but that’s all right. I don’t mind." Besides, Reed says, he and the Comets have bigger things to be concerned with as the SOC season — and a more constant Crater lineup — begins to take shape. "If we all do our part," he says, "I think we’ll be able to pull it all together." After all, it’s just one giant puzzle in the beginning. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times