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No gangly, green freshman here

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published April 3, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Zephyrhills' Tyler Guy doesn't act like a freshman. And with his massive 6-foot-6, 220-pound body, he certainly doesn't look like one either.

"He's a big kid with a big frame," veteran Ridgewood coach Larry Beets said. "When you grow up that way, people expect miracles right off the bat, and I think he's done just enough to show the potential is there."

Apparently enough "potential" is a .308 batting average, 19 RBIs, three doubles and five home runs, but there are those from Guy's Little League days who knew what was there.

"If you make a mistake with him, he can hurt you," said Pasco coach Ricky Giles, who saw Guy hit a home run against his team Friday. "He sees the ball very well. You can't just let the ball hang for him. If you do, he'll make you pay for it. He's got plenty of power for someone his age."

But Guy hasn't been shocked. The 15-year-old has been playing baseball for years and set the lofty goal of being a Zephyrhills varsity player.

"I pretty much expected to make the team because it's what I expected out of myself," Guy said. "It was a goal of mine to make the varsity team, and I knew I just had to set out to do that. I want to be the guy that if we need a hit, I can give hit or give whatever is needed to win. The guys have faith in me, and I want to show I can do it."

According to senior pitcher Geoff Parker, Guy brings more to the team than just runs.

"He lifts morale in the dugout, said Parker, who has known Guy since their Little League days. "I've known him since he was shorter than me. ...He can bring intimidation to the team. Kids see him and say, 'Oh my, God, he's huge.'

"But he'll joke around with people just to get them up - like if I'm pitching bad, that way I laugh. ...He helps out people like that."

Guy's success doesn't end at the plate. On the mound, he has given up 11 runs in 17 innings and has 12 strikeouts.

"I can guarantee he's going to be a leader during his whole high school career," Parker said. "That's what he can do and he should be a pretty good pitcher, but he's got three more years of learning to do and everything will get better as time goes on."

Added Guy: "I just want us to do well. Pretty much, if I can do that I'm happy because I'm here to help us win. That's pretty much my job right now.

Beets, who has been coaching at Ridgewood more than 20 years, said there will be added pressure on Guy since he has been successful as a freshman. "Soon, they might expect him to hit a home run every game."

But Beets knows Guy will always stand out.

"He's one of those players that keeps baseball out here exciting," Beets said. "Whether they beat you or not, it's good to see guys like Tyler coming in and keeping Pasco County alive."

[Last modified April 2, 2007, 23:24:37]