May 26, 2009 — The next generation of V.I. baseball hopefuls picked up some much-needed advice on academics and work ethic over the weekend from four college players who got their start in the territory.
Jabari Blash, Joel Bellot, Jeudis Garcia and Kellen St. Luce — all graduates of the local Future Stars baseball program — were up bright and early Saturday at the UVI field to help Future Stars’ organizer Darren Canton reach out to current members of the program in ways that he couldn’t.
“The goal of the camp was to have these college players come down and just give their tips to the players I’ve been working with for the last year or so,” Canton said. “I wanted them to share their experiences in college and what they had to do when they reached the next level.”
One of the more important tips passed on highlighted the symbiotic relationship between academics and baseball.
“From now on, you guys have to get your homework done,” Bellot said to the four Future Stars players that came out for the camp. “If you develop that and get it out of the way, then when you all go up to the States, you can focus on playing ball.”
Bellot used his freshman year at Southwestern Oklahoma State to get into shape, develop his techniques and become a better overall player. At the same time, he focused in school and came out with a 3.5 grade point average.
“You aren’t going to be able to play for a team if your grades aren’t good — colleges won’t allow it,” Blash added. “School work and baseball go hand in hand.”
Poor grades kept Blash from playing during his first year at Alcorn State.
“Instead of playing, I just practiced, worked out, got better and focused on my school work,” he said. Now at Miami Dade College, Blash has a hold on his grades, is on the state’s number one team and is hopes to be drafted into the majors.
Having the determination and drive to work hard both in school and on the field is also important, Blash said.
“If I could be where you guys are – if I could go back to high school or junior high, if I had worked harder – I think I could have been a better player,” Blash said to the group. “I think I would have succeeded a lot faster. It took me two years of college to be where I’m at. So, if you know that you have to work hard, and take baseball seriously, then the better off you’ll be.”
Local community members and the government also have to pitch in to make the odds better for V.I. players, Bellot said.
“The leadership just has to be better all around, from the coaching up,” Bellot said. “When you leave the island, playing ball is just better. But when you’re here – look at the field now, for example. It’s not in good shape. I’m playing with the All Star team – we don’t have any balls, don’t have any bats, the work ethic is just bad. That has to change, and it has to start with the parents, from the coaches who have to provide more guidance and the leadership, like the government, who also has to do their part and contribute.”
Canton says he plans to have similar camps as often as possible, most likely in the winter and summer months when school is out.
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