1/15/2009 – Harrisonburg Turks 2008 Program

CLINT ROBINSON Written By Graham Brock James Madison University Sports Management Intern Clint Robinson, a former 2005-2006 Harrisonburg Turk was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 25th round in 2007. Clint was born in Jefferson City, Missouri. He had a successful baseball career at Troy University in Alabama. Clint stands at 6’4" and weighs 225 lbs. He began his professional baseball career in the Pioneer League with the Idaho Falls Club. During the 2007 season he earned many awards and honors. He was named a Topps Class A All-Star, Topps PIO Player of the Year, PIO Most Valuable Player, and the PIO Post Season All-Star. He finished in the top 10 in the league in eight different categories, including RBI’s in which he was first, and home runs in which he was second in the league. Clint sees summer baseball extremely beneficial for a college player who wants to move up and compete at the next level. They learn how it is to play every day and be on road trips with the team. By playing on a summer league team such as the Turks, a player has the opportunity to get a glimpse of and experience what the environment is like in the minor leagues. According to Clint, a player will face great competition and get to see new players every game which will help them with the adjustment to the professional level. Clint also goes on to say that the Valley Baseball League has great talent and many players get drafted and play at the next level. He says the VBL is definitely one of the top competitive, collegiate leagues in the country for summer baseball. Clint speaks very highly of Bob and Teresa Wease as well. He said he could not have asked for better owners. They allow the players to be adults and treat them as they should be treated. He said the Wease’s gave him the opportunity to be the best player and person he could be. This season Clint looks to help the Burlington Bees win the conference. Through 11 games this season he has already blasted 3 homeruns and 4 doubles. We wish Clint the best of luck throughout this season and his professional baseball career. PATRICK NORRIS Written By Graham Brock James Madison University Sports Management Intern Patrick Norris, 2007 Harrisonburg Turk Alumni was signed with the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Patrick was born in Pensacola, Florida. He was an outfielder for the NAIA powerhouse, Oklahoma City University Stars. Patrick was only with the Turks for a few weeks before being drafted, but really impressed fans, coaches and players in the Valley League with his great speed on the base paths. Patrick split his rookie season with the Burlington Bees and the Idaho Falls Chukars. He finished second in the Appalachian League in walks and stolen bases. He also finished fourth in runs scored. He finished his rookie year with a batting average of .285, 30 stolen bases, and 68 hits. Patrick believes that summer baseball such as that in the Valley Baseball League is very important for a player looking to move up to the next level. "It is a perfect opportunity to adjust to using a wooden bat which is completely different from using a metal bat like players use in college ball." According to Patrick, "a player gains the opportunity from the summer ball season to experience what it feels like to play professionally by playing everyday and also using the wood bat." When asked about the Valley League, Patrick said, "The competition level was great. It actually was not too much different from what I saw last year during my rookie season." He went on to say how great his experience was with the Turks for the short time he was here. "Bob and Teresa were awesome and took care of the players." "I couldn’t have asked for a better experience before I ventured into the professional baseball world." We wish Patrick the best in his future in baseball. _______________________________________________________________________________________