The Sledge hammer Veteran plays big offensive role for Capahas

For Chris Sledge, playing baseball for the Capahas isn't all about being discovered any more, he simply loves to play the game.

Sledge, 24, an offensive catalyst in Monday's victory over the Austin (Texas) Gold Sox in the first round of the National Baseball Congress World Series, is one of the so-called old guys on the team. He's been with the Capahas for three years and admits that he still dreams of playing in the majors, but realizes that his chances of being picked up are rather slim at this stage in the game.

"For a lot of the younger guys they want to get picked up," Sledge said. "I'm just going out there trying to have fun."

Kennett native Sledge and his Capahas teammates will be in action today in Wichita, Kan., at 10:30 a.m. against the fourth-seeded Elkhart (Kan.) Dusters. Elkhart defeated Beaumont (Texas) 6-1 to move on to play the Capahas.

Sledge, who played basketball and baseball at Belmont University, lives for the competition of organized sports.

"I'm just competitive in whatever I do," he said.

Sledge has played second base and center field for most of the season, but played first base in the Capahas' win over the Gold Sox, leading the charge with a 4-for-5 night including two runs scored and two runs batted in.

Capahas manager Jess Bolen describes Sledge as the ultimate team player, a coach's dream. Bolen recalled a tournament this year in Evansville, Ind., where Sledge reeled off 15 hits but eventually lost out on Tournament MVP to teammate Brad Simmons, who hit two home runs in the championship game. Although Simmons' statistics were not as good as Sledge's, Sledge didn't complain and in fact was one of the first to congratulate him.

"I just try to be the best team player I can be," Sledge said.

More offense needed

Sledge and his teammates are looking to build on their offensive explosion from the first round of the NBC World Series.

Described as a streaky hitter by Bolen, Sledge said he is certainly capable of having another hot tournament like the one he had in Evansville.

An important part of hitting is just staying relaxed, Sledge said. "Hitting has a lot to do with confidence," he said.

After the Capahas put up 17 hits in Monday's game, only seven short of their hit total in the four games they played in the Mid-South Regional, their confidence level should be on the rise.

Bolen said a key to his team's success will be its situational hitting. Unlike in the regional tournament where the Capahas failed to move up runners and drive in men from third with less than two outs, on Monday the team attempted seven sacrifice bunts and got the big hits when needed.

By getting those situational hits and using the sacrifice, Bolen said the Capahas can keep the pressure on the other team.

"In tournaments you have to play different, you have to play for the one run lead," he said.

Sporting a team that Bolen describes as one of his best in years, the Capahas are looking to add to their 11 top 10 finishes in the NBC World Series. With some of the best collegiate players in the nation making the trip to Wichita, Bolen knows the victories certainly won't come easy.

"When you get to this point every team is a really good team," Bolen said.

Despite coming into the tournament as underdogs, Capahas designated hitter Tom Cigno said this team has a legitimate shot at the title.

"If we play like we're capable of not too many teams can stop us," he said.

The Capahas will send game one winner Richie Phillips to the mound today, Bolen said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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