Redbirds makes pitch to professional scouts

For several local high school products, playing for the Baltimore Redbirds at Calvert Hall's Carlo Crispino Stadium in the Cal Ripken Jr. Collegiate Baseball League offers a great opportunity show off their skills to professional scouts.

Infielders Pat Fitzgerald (Towson University, Calvert Hall) and Alex Frederick (Armstrong Atlantic State University, Dulaney), pitcher Greg Terry (Eastern Kentucky Calvert Hall) and designated hitter Jack Cary (Wake Forest, St. Paul's) are all hoping for a shot to become professional players some day, and playing for the Redbirds in a wood-bat league affords them the opportunity to at least be judged by scouts.

The team also features Towson University players Ben Winter, an outfielder, and Tyler Austin, a pitcher.

"We had four or five former Redbirds get drafted," Baltimore coach Mike Palmerino said about the Major League Baseball draft last month. "They get a chance to be seen by scouts in the area. They get the feel for the wood bat, they get to travel and hone their skills for the next level."

After a rough 1-6 start, the Redbirds, who play teams from Baltimore, Southern Maryland, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, have gone 13-7.

Frederick, a shortstop, has been a valuable offensive and defensive contributor.

Palmerino is particularly impressed with Frederick's glove work.

"Defensively, he is tremendous and there are not many better than him," the coach said. "He is one of the best shortstops in the area. He has a strong arm and is very rangy. He can go left, right, up the middle."

Frederick is batting .271 with a home run, eight RBIs and six stolen bases.

Terry also plays a vital role for Baltimore's successful mound corps.

He's 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA across 19 2/3 innings and has been used as both a start and reliever.

"Greg Terry is a left-handed pitcher, and lefties are hard to come by," Palmerino said. "He throws 86, 87 (mph) off the hill and changes speeds very well. Coming from the left side, that will cause problems for a lot of hitters."

The 5-foot-7, 160-pound Fitzgerald impressed Palmerino with his work ethic and all-out hustle.

"He goes out there every day and gives you everything he has," Palmerino said. "He is a little guy, but plays so much bigger than his size."

Cary played third base for the Demon Deacons last spring, but will move to catcher in 2012.

Palmerino has used Cary as a designated hitter because of a lingering shoulder injury he said.

"Jack is an outstanding defensive third baseman," Palmerino said. "He is making the transition from third base to catcher. That's another reason why the summer league is so important. He has been catching bullpen sessions."

For Cary, Terry and the others, professional baseball remains in their dreams.

"Guys in the past I have played with have gotten drafted," Terry said. "You know it's a possibility. If we keep working hard, we will be seen."