Valdosta’s Smotherman signs with Valdosta State

All-Region second baseman hit .407 for Wildcats in ’06

Author: Robert Preston
Publication Date: November 12, 2006 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State didn’t have to look far to find its future second baseman.

Valdosta High second baseman Briggs Smotherman signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the Blazers on Friday.

“I felt like I wanted to stay close to home. This offer was too good to pass up, and I feel like I have a good opportunity here,” said Smotherman after inking a scholarship from VSU to play baseball for the Blazers.

Smotherman, a senior, has devoted nearly all of his time over the last few years to playing baseball. His goal has always been to become a college baseball player, and he has never lost sight of that dream.

The result has been a nearly 12-month dedication to playing baseball. Smotherman seems to move almost seamlessly from one baseball season to another: the Wildcats in the spring, summer ball after school lets out, then winter traveling teams.

He just finished playing on a traveling team with Five Tool Baseball.

“We visited several different colleges, including Chipola, Darton, Middle Georgia and Georgia Southern. At the end of the season, we played a tournament down in Lakeland, Fla.,” he said.

Traveling ball has given him experience playing against some of the best competition in the Southeast, and has also tested his skills hitting with a wooden bat, something a lot of players his age don’t get to do. He spent most of the season with Five Tool hitting with aluminum bats, but the Lakeland tournament required wooden bats.

“It’s different, but it’s something you have to get used to,” he said.

Smotherman had an excellent season with the Wildcats as a junior, and is poised to get even better this year. And with the scholarship already signed, that’s one less thing he has to worry about.

Last season, Smotherman batted .407 with 17 RBI, a .474 on-base percentage and 17 stolen bases, helping a talented Valdosta team earn a postseason bid. He was a second-team All-Region selection.

The Wildcats made it to the second round of the playoffs.

In addition to handling himself well at the plate, Smotherman is also a solid defensive second baseman.

“He’s was one of the better infielders as a junior, and one of the region’s leading hitters,” said Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman.

But talent will only take a player so far. Hard work accompanies success, and Smotherman understands that well.

“Nobody works harder than Briggs. His work ethic is his biggest asset, and he works on his game year around,” said Shuman.

Valdosta State wasn’t the only school to show interest in Smotherman, but it was the first college to offer him a deal. And his coach, a former VSU infielder himself, and family are happy to have him play his college career in Valdosta.

“We’re excited to have him here at home,” said Shuman.