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Mark McClanahan Has Eye On Major LeaguesAnd, just how Mark performs over the next few weeks will be a big factor toward deciding whether he’s drafted professionally following his graduation from Austin High School this year, or signed to a college scholarship ... or — and it’s very doubtful — not offered either a pro contract or a college grant-in-aidMark, also top-notch defensive player for Austin’s Class 4A basketball champions, is one of 30 Morgan County high school baseball players who will compete tonight (at Dixie Senior Field) in Lions-sponsored East-West Baseball games. (East Morgan County stars play Cullman County at 4, followed by a 7 p.m. meeting between West Morgan County and Limestone County).The top 15 players tonight — so chosen by scouts and coaches — advance to E-W North-Central Playoffs Saturday, also to be played in Decatur.'vThe top 15 players Saturday then advance to state E-W games in Birmingham in June, and those that do make H to Birmingham are almost certain 1o obtain a college scholarship or be drafted by a pro club“Yes, it’s very big,’’ Mark, the winner of 23 games in four years of pitching for Austin, said about East-West Baseball. “Everyone knows that if you do well in them, you’ll get a scholarship.“A coach or somebody, I can’t remember just who, told me that the last two or three years, that every senior who went to the Birmingham East-west games got a scholarship.“Last year, there were 150 scouts at Birmingham, continued Mark. \ou know who’s watching and you know what it can mean. East-West Baseball is big.”MARK McCLANAHANMark advanced to the North-Central E-W games two years ago as a sophomore and moved on to the B’ham games last year as a junior.Slated to start tonight at 7, Mark struck out 4 batters last year at Birmingham in his 3-inning stint. (Pitchers are limited to only 3 innings each in the All-Star games.) He struck out 7 in his 3 innings as a sophomore here in the North-Central game.A pitcher whose repertoire includes fastball and a curve and maybe a change-up every once in a while, Mark, who said he'd wait and let his college or pro coach teach him the slider, was 4-2 for Austin this year, losing two games in which he allowed only 2- and 3-hits, respectively.He said, though, he’s an improved pitcher over last year.My curve breaks quicker this year,” he noted, and my fast ball's been as good as last year (when he was 8-1 as Austin won the TVC championship). fWhich is what he had to have this year — improvement. “They told me last year I'd be drafted this year if I showed improvement.“You can only pitch 3 innings in these games,’’ Mark reiterated, “and there's nothing to save it for. You just go out and throw your best at ’em. Hopefully, it’s enough.”Mark also hit over .370 this year, playing third base while not pitchingHe’ll be pitching tonight, though, and that’s what he hopes will take him to the majors. , vIf he pitches in the next few weeks like he’s shown the last four years that he’s capable, Alabama baseball fans in the future just may see him pitching professionally in Atlanta.Sunday, Mark McClanahan went to Atlanta to watch the professional Braves play a baseball doubleheader with Los Angeles.If Mark’s hopes become reality in the next few years, Alabama baseball fans then making the trip to Atlanta to see pro baseball may just see Mark as one of the players.He’s always wanted to be a major leaguer.InsideByLarryCanterbury
Newspaper Details
Decatur Daily
Decatur, Alabama, US
Mon, May 21, 1973
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Libby B.
NA, NA 06 Nov 2023
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