Document text
DeClerck a hit for the 'Dogs Former North star will take his game to Sacramento City College next year By KEVIN GOFF Steve DeClerck's collegiate baseball career was all set in place. The 1999 North Medford High graduate had just signed on with the University of Washington after sporting a .511 batting average as a senior infielder while earning All-Southern Oregon Conference first-team accolades. DeClerck redshirted his first season at UW but he already had other plans for his diamond future. "Washington was really enjoyable," says the 5-foot-11 outfielder. "I liked playing for a Division I school and I got a scholarship out of high school to go there. "But, the overall program was not where I wanted to be." So DeClerck ventured south to warmer climates and wound up with the Sacramento City College Panthers, a place he knew well. "I had gone to the Sac City camp since I was a little kid," says DeClerck. "It's a well-known baseball school that is solid every year." DeClerck, who hit .250 in only eight plate appearances for the Panthers last season, is now in the stretch run of the Southern Oregon RiverDogs amateur wood-bat baseball season. As the RiverDogs' left-fielder, DeClerck has molded himself into a prototypical leadoff hitter, mixing speed with a solid bat. He boasts a batting average of .396 with a team-high 40 hits. DeClerck has also caused havoc on the base paths, swiping a team-high 13 bases in 16 attempts. "I'm really enjoying this season," says DeClerck. "I've gotten to relax a little and just play some ball." With only a handful of games remaining on the summer schedule, the RiverDogs don't have a conference title to play for. The franchise fees of nearly $50,000 was a little too steep for RiverDogs' founders John White and Jim McAbee. Southern Oregon opted for a 50-game independent schedule instead of joining the Pacific International League as originally planned. But motivation hasn't been a problem for DeClerck. "John (White) does a really good job out there keeping us focused," says DeClerck of the RiverDogs' coach. "We are still competitive and one reason for that is we are playing for something next season." DeClerck made the transition from third base to the outfield during his redshirt freshman season at Washington. While it was a bit of an adjustment at first, DeClerck has transformed into a steady force in the outfield. "That's part of the reason I didn't get as much playing time my first year," says DeClerck, who has committed just one error while recording two outfield assists through 32 games for Southern Oregon. "Most teams want a big home run hitter (at third base) and that's not really my game. I rely on my speed a lot so the transition to outfield was natural." DeClerck joins a Panthers team rich with baseball history. Sacramento City College, which posted an overall record of 29-6 while winning the Big Valley Conference East Division title for the sixth time in seven years, has had 30 players venture to the Major Leagues since 1941. Among the big names are current Major League managers Buck Martinez and Larry Bowa, former Boston Red Sox skipper John McNamara and current Big League standouts Kevin Brown, Fernando Vina and Greg Vaughn. Of the nine starters on the field for the Panthers last season, five were drafted. "That's another reason I left Washington," says DeClerck. "I mean, Washington's a Division I school but down at City, there are anywhere between five and 15 scouts hanging around during the fall and the season. It's a real hotbed for that." DeClerck, who also played some center field last year, should anchor down a spot in left field in 2002. "I played behind some really good players last year," says DeClerck of his outfield peers who have since used up their two years at the JC or moved on to the professional level. "But, if I play like I have been then I should start." With one year of eligibility left at Sacramento, DeClerck already has bigger and better schools in mind. "My goal is to get to a big-time school," says DeClerck, "like a USC, Miami or LSU. "I'd like a chance at playing in the College World Series." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected]. Steve DeClerck WHO - Former North Medford High baseball standout and current Southern Oregon RiverDog. WHAT - DeClerck will return for his sophomore year of eligibility with the Sacramento City College Panthers after a red-shirt freshman season with the Washington Huskies. KEY STAT - DeClerck is batting .396 for the RiverDogs and has a team-high 40 hits and 13 stolen bases in the lead-off position. QUOTE - "My goal is to get to a big-time school like a USC, Miami or LSU. I'd like a chance at playing in the College World Series." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.