Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Ranger College right for Buccaneer

Norberto Navarro, part of a glut of catching prospects in Florida, leaves the state for a full scholarship.

By FRANK PASTOR
Published August 16, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - After putting up big numbers during his senior season at Gulf, Norberto Navarro got caught up in a different type of numbers game.

In a year when catching prospects were plentiful, Navarro was overlooked by colleges before finding a fit at Ranger (Texas) College last month.

He qualified for a full financial aid package and will receive the maximum scholarship the school awards, Gulf coach Shaun Wiemer said.

"This is a great opportunity for him to be successful, to go and play in another state," Wiemer said. "He needs to get away and concentrate on school and baseball. There are a lot of things around here that can be distractions. Texas is a great baseball state. He's going to have a chance to really get into some serious baseball out there."

Navarro, whose phone temporarily is out of order, could not be reached for comment.

The Times' 2005 county co-player of the year batted .423 with eight doubles, seven homers and 32 RBIs last year while leading Gulf to its most wins (13) since 2000 and first winning season in at least a decade.

"He helped us get over the hump, obviously, to a winning season," Wiemer said. "We needed some stepping stones for the future so kids can get excited. That type of year he put up was just a dream year."

Still, his stats did little to sway college coaches. He looked into Lake City Community College and Tallahassee CC, but they already had signed catchers. A tryout at Polk CC appeared promising until the school signed two catchers that transferred from other schools.

Navarro had a tryout with the Yankees in June but was overshadowed by college players such as Jeff Baisley (Land O'Lakes/South Florida) and Dee Brown (Hernando/Central Florida).

"He was a little fish in a big pond," Wiemer said.

Navarro played for the Paradise Post 79 American Legion team during the summer to prepare for Ranger's season.

"Hopefully, he'll have two successful years there and he can go on to a nice four-year school or get a shot with some minor-league baseball," Wiemer said.

Navarro isn't the only Gulf player hoping to extend his baseball career. First baseman Blaise Simon and pitcher Kevin Fagan hope to walk on at Florida Gulf Coast Community College and Florida, respectively.

[Last modified August 16, 2005, 08:38:11]