Patriots Sit Atop Division; Hutton Leading The Way
You'll excuse the Parkersburg Patriots if they would like to end the season right now. No mention of those old sports addages like, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game". No, this is not that kind of team. The Patriots (20-15, currently in first place in the Mountaineer League's Blue Division) would like it just fine if the season ended today.
"It feels pretty good on top," Patriot's Manager Thomas Reynolds remarks as his first place ball club practices before heading to the team's next series in Clarksburg some 65 miles away. "But it's still early," he's quick to add with a coy smile.
"We haven't played anywhere near what we're capable of," third basemen Curt Bagnold says. When asked to give a percentage, the 24-year-old from Buckhannon dutifully ponders for a moment. "20%," he answers with a straight face. "Seriously, this team can be a lot better. Scotty's the only one who I would say is anywhere near playing where they should be."
The "Scotty" he refers to is not the world famous one from Star Trek manning the transporter. This Scotty is a 20-year-old phenomenon from Jackson County who is leading the Patriots in nearly every statistical category. This is even more remarkable when you consider he was hurt early in the season and missed four weeks. He is quickly becoming a major draw for the club, and expanding an already strong fan base to now include Jackson County.
To a man, the Patriot players will admit that Hutton is the only reason they are in first place right now. While they can all quickly find fault in their own play, they hold that Hutton is as fast, talent, athletic, and competitive as any player at any level on the planet. It's quite a striking scene, as player after player admits that Hutton is their best player, and without him they'd probably be in last place.
But ask the man in question, and he's a bit more humble.
"This is a team game," Scott Hutton replies when told of his teammates admissions as his cheeks redden. "I can't do anything alone. Guys are getting on base, and it's my job to drive them in. We are getting great pitching, too. Our defense is great, and I really have a great feeling about this team and this group of guys."
When you talk with the 5'11', 190 pound centerfielder from the tiny hamlet of Evans, you hear the words "team", "us", "guys", and "group" a lot. In fact, you can't get him to talk about himself or his early season numbers, which are impressive. He leads the team in batting average, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, stolen bases, runs, and runs created, just to name a few. He's also second on the team in runs batted in, despite missing, again, four weeks of the seven week old season.
"I have waited for this my entire life," he beams, slyly turning the questions from himself to the Mountaineer League as a whole. "Professional baseball in my home state is a dream come true. And to play for a team so close to my family is really special."
While that may be true, it's still not as special as the feeling one gets that this team, and in particular, this young man from Jackson County, may turn out to be something for the ages.