Todd Stanley has built a lot of memories and seen a lot of talented student-athletes in 20 years at West Lowndes High School.
On Wednesday, Stanley was proud to be a part of helping two more — Fred Clark Jr. and Marcus Farmer — realize opportunities to continue their athletic careers in college. Clark Jr. and Farmer made it official by signing National Letters of Intent to play baseball at Holmes Community College in Goodman. Farmer also will play football.
“Both of them have been around the program for a number of years and have been playing since the seventh grade,” Stanley said. “They both work hard, love the game, and are so versatile, which I think is going to carry over to the next level.”
It was a bittersweet morning for Stanley, the school’s longtime baseball coach who also serves as its athletic director. Stanley recalls looking down the fence line and seeing a young man peering out to the field. Clark Jr. was only in the fourth or the fifth grade when Stanley spotted him. He had no idea Clark Jr. would become a fixture at catcher for about six years.
“I waited on him to get to the seventh grade and then it goes by so fast,” Stanley said. “It is going to be tough to replace him. I haven’t had to have a have a catcher for so long.”
Stanley said Clark Jr. “made it easy on him” because he wanted to catch. He said Clark’s arm strength and ability to block balls have improved to go along with a consistent bat.
Clark Jr. said he worked hard through the years and remained dedicated after having to become a leader early in his high school career. He said he never had played catcher prior to taking over the job for the Panthers.
“I earned my position in practice one day when I threw out one of the fastest runners on the team in an intrasquad game,” Clark Jr. said. “From that day forward, coach Stanley turned me into a catcher. After I had that experience behind the plate, I fell in love with it.”
Clark Jr. said he enjoys playing catcher because he is like a “second coach” on the field, even if he doesn’t plan on becoming a coach one day. He said Stanley has prepared him for the next level.
“I feel like the coaches at Holmes liked my work ethic and my mind-set,” Clark Jr. said. “You have to work hard, grind hard every day. You have to stay focused no matter what the game throws at you. You have to be prepared for it.”
Stanley, who also works as an assistant coach on the school’s football team, also has had plenty of opportunities to see Farmer blossom. In addition to playing football, Farmer is a standout on the school’s boys basketball and track and field teams.
Farmer said he and Clark received their scholarship offers in December. He said his offer to play football came after he received his baseball scholarship.
“I am mentally prepared for it,” Farmer said. “I am ready for everything that is going to come with it. I already know what tasks I am going to face. I know it will be the right fit for me.”
Stanley said Holmes C.C. is looking at Farmer as a center fielder or a shortstop. Farmer also pitches for the Panthers.
“Marcus is probably the best athlete in school,” Stanley said. “He can play all three sports. There is not a position you can put Marcus in that he can’t play. I have been here 20 years and he is probably one of the best athletes to come through this school. Whatever Homes has plans for him, I don’t see him having a problem playing wherever they want him.”
Stanley believed three years ago both players would develop and mature each year and realize an opportunity to play at the next level. Now, though, the only drawback is Stanley will have to find a new catcher and another pitcher. He might have to look down the fence line to see if there is another young man waiting to start.
“It is going to be a challenge, but we have a couple of young kids and I am going to start moving Fred around a little bit and start catching other kids to get some other kids experience,” Stanley said. “It definitely is going to be a challenge filling those shoes because they are the No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers on the team and two of the best hitters on the team.”
Follow Dispatch sorts editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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