Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — A utility player in baseball is someone who can play multiple positions.

Fairland Dragons’ senior Blaze Perry is a different kind of utility player. He produces as a hitter, fielder, baserunner, a leader and mentor.

All those qualities were too much for the Salem Tigers to pass up which led to Perry signing a letter-of-intent to join the school’s baseball program.

“He’s an exceptional player and the biggest thing about Blaze is he’s an exceptional leader. He can do as much with helping the younger kids and even kids in his own grade develop as he can as a player. He’s a great asset to a team,” said Fairland head coach Drew Clark.

Last season the Dragons’ second baseman stole 13 bases, scored 28 runs and had 27 hits as he batted .355 with 4 doubles and 13 runs batted in.

Fairland was 19-5 last season and won the Ohio Valley Conference. But the Dragons lost 4 key seniors which puts the leadership role this season on the shoulders of Brycen Hunt and Perry.

“Definitely I’ll need to do more in a leadership role. After losing four or five seniors, it’s going to be kind of different. We’re not used to that many graduating,” said Perry.

“But if we can get our bats going, we can still be pretty good and have a chance at the OVC title.”

Perry’s top three college choices were Rio Grande, Pennsylvania Western Clarion and Salem.

He finally settled on Salem University for various reasons including former Fairland player Blake and Tyler Sammons are currently on the baseball roster.

“I chose Salem because they had my intended major and they seemed like they really wanted me. Also, I had friends that were there,” said Perry who plans to major in computer science.

“(The Sammons brothers) told me what it was like being there and it seemed like a good choice.”

Perry said the Salem coaches have a plan for him but he’s not sure about what role he will play.

“I don’t know if they are looking at me to steal. I think they are looking at me more to move runners over, just get on base and try to score. That kind of thing,” said Perry.

However, Perry does know that Salem wants him to remain as a second baseman.

“They said they are planning on me playing second. I’m not 100 percent sure, but they are planning on me trying to play there my sophomore year. They are having their senior second baseman graduate, so they are planning on me taking over his spo,” said Perry.

Wherever Perry plays, Clark is certain he will do a good job.

“I think he’ll be very successful. I think he’ll thrive. I think he has a lot of potential to better himself. As good as he is now, I think he’ll get even better,” said Clark.

Perry began playing baseball at the t-ball level when he was four-years old. He played basketball through the seventh grade and soccer until he was 10.

“I guess because I’m good at it. I don’t know. I just like it,” said Perry.

Besides playing for the Dragons, Perry played with summer travel teams and enjoyed great success this past season.

“I played during the summer and  got 44 hits. I’m planning to try and get as many as I can but I’m looking to get 45 hits. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but it’s definitely something I’m shooting for,” said Perry.