Hernando's Blanton, Polk are the right fit

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 23, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- Stephen Blanton had a look of uncertainty Friday morning as Polk Community College baseball coach Johnny Wiggs stumped him with a question that hadn't come up during the recruiting process: "What size cap do you wear?"

Wiggs had brought a size 73/8 Polk hat and jersey so Blanton could look the part. While he didn't know his size, Blanton tried them on and found the items to be a perfect fit.

That phrase echoed throughout interviews with Blanton and his coaches as the Hernando first baseman announced he would be continuing his playing career at the Winter Haven campus.

"I liked the coaches over there and the situation I'd be in at junior college," said Blanton, who tied for second in the county with three home runs and drove in 26 RBI as a senior.

Blanton considered opportunities at four-year schools such as Florida and Mississippi, but two major factors were the ability to play right away and flexibility with the June draft.

Blanton does not expect to be drafted, but had he signed with a four-year program, he would not have been eligible to be drafted until after his junior year. Junior college players are eligible for the draft after each season, giving him more options.

"We need to salute his decision, not just to come to our place, but to come to junior college," Wiggs said. "I think it's a smart decision.

"There are so many guys in his situation that have an opportunity to go to a four-year school," the coach said. "A year later, I'm getting phone calls. They go there, and they hate it if they don't get to play."

PCC also will give Blanton a chance to play next season, an unlikely prospect at any of the Southeastern Conference schools that were recruiting him.

"Obviously, you go to a big SEC school, you'd have to be redshirted," said Blanton, one of five Leopards to play Sunday in the North Central Florida Baseball Coaches All-Star Game in Gainesville.

Wiggs made a similar choice when he was graduating from high school, and he leapfrogged from a two-year college to the Gators' baseball team. He has big plans for Blanton.

"We expect him to come in and play first base and hit in the middle of our order," Wiggs said. "Even though guys have to compete in the fall, we're penciling him in the 4 or 5 hole for us. That's the capability he has."

Hernando coach Tim Sims said that a large portion of the rosters at major college programs have played junior college ball, and Blanton -- even at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds -- isn't done growing yet, either.

"It gives you two years to mature physically and mentally," Sims said. "Physically, two years from now, everybody sitting here is not going to recognize Stephen. His frame and his physical stature are what impresses everyone that sees him play. His best is yet to come."

Blanton's father, Mark, said his son "felt at home, felt comfortable" at PCC, quickly making the decision that if he were to opt for junior college, that would be his choice. That didn't keep many of the state's top two-year programs from calling.

"He told them all the same thing: "If I go to junior college, I'm going to sign with Polk.' He just loved it," his father said.

National-caliber programs such as Ole Miss were tempting, but weren't offering the financial package or playing opportunities he had available at Polk.

"It's a great fit," Sims said. "I think the type of season they had this year was very typical to our season -- a little down year, but very capable of holding their own with anyone in the state."

Blanton gives Hernando six players who will be in college: Dee Brown at Central Florida, J.T. Fobell at Saint Leo, Jason Dunn at Central Florida CC, Nick Westbrook at St. Johns River CC and Wes Radacky at Lindenwood (Mo.) University.

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