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Heller swings from bump to bat |
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Written by Dale Woodard
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Sunday, June 21 2009, 11:45 PM |
From the bump to the batter’s box.
Welcome to Jamin Heller’s baseball transition.
But judging by his performance at the plate with the Lethbridge Spitz AA Elks, the 18-year-old has proven he can swing a bat just as well as he can send a batter back to the dugout with a blistering fastball.
However, it wasn’t an overnight effort.
“It took a lot work,” said Heller with a chuckle Friday night after his team downed the Medicine Hat Monarchs in their opening game of the Spitz Elks AA Tournament at Spitz Stadium.
“I had a pretty ugly hack before. But in the winter you get in the cage every day in Vauxhall and work on it. You get pointers and video and make it work. I put in the work and it’s all paid off for me.”
Heller’s baseball efficiency caught the eye of the Minot State University Beavers of the Dakota Athletic Conference, who recruited the pitcher-turned-batter as well as Elks teammate Cole Stober for the coming season.
While his attention was firmly on the present as Heller and his teammates eyed up a championship title in their host tournament last weekend, he snuck a peek ahead.
“It’s every ballplayer’s dream to make it down south and play for a college. I have a good opportunity,” said Heller, crediting Vauxhall Baseball Academy for helping him hone his skills both on the mound at at bat. “They really primed me up and got my game where it needs to be to head down south. I was pitcher until last year and then Vauxhall converted me into a hitter and third baseman. So I’ve come a long way in one year. I have to thank (assistant coach Jim Kotkas) and (head coach) Les (McTavish) out there in Vauxhall. They’ve been great.”
Heller isn’t heading south alone, either.
“Cole and I are both going down there as teammates and we’re pretty good buds,” said Heller.
In fact, his friend and teammate acted as a scout for Heller as Stober visited the school Heller has yet to see.
“Cole checked it out for me. He went at Christmas and told me lots of good things with the coach and the program.”
Despite a finger injury during action at their annual tournament this weekend, the Elks are enjoying Heller’s multi-faceted game.
“One thing about Jamin is we always know he’s ready to play,” said Elks head coach Scott Oikawa. “He’s versatile and he’s helped on the mound, at bat and defensively. He did a lot of work for us on the mound last year and did a great job in the closer position. But with what he’s done with his bat, we can’t keep him out of the lineup.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, June 22 2009, 9:45 PM )
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