Nearly a quarter of a century ago – back in the late 1980s – a young Bridgeport High School baseball coach named Robert Shields was on hand as a standout shortstop and pitcher signed to play college baseball at West Virginia Wesleyan. Today, 25 years later, Shields was on hand as the son of that same player signed to play at the same school.

 

As family, coaches and administrators were by his side, Indians’ senior Greg Smith signed to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. Smith will join several past teammates and be a member of the Bobcats’ baseball program.

 

Smith will join John Koon, Mike Logsdon and Brandon Purkey on the Buckhannon campus. He’ll also be going to a campus where his father – Greg – signed and played after his time at BHS.

 

“He’s my first second generation player and that makes him my first father and son combination to go on to play collegiately,” said Shields. “It’s really kind of unique. His father was a player and Greg is certainly a player.”

 

Although most know that locally, Smith announced his dominance in a big way last year when he ended his junior season in dominant fashion. In fact, despite losing an extra innings game to Fairmont Senior in the state baseball tournament, Smith made play after play in the field at shortstop and was explosive at the plate. In fact, he went 3-for-5 with a home run, triple and five RBIs.

 

By season’s end, Smith was 47-for-128 for a .367 average with five doubles, four triples and two home runs. Even more impressive is that he struck out just nine times with 13 walks and 12 stolen bases.

 

Certainly, a huge senior season was in order. And while the numbers prior to his play in Monday’s win at East Fairmont are impressive – a .341 average with a pair of doubles – Smith has done that while recovering from major shoulder surgery. Smith, who was leading the Class AA state championship football team in tackles at the time, was lost for the year due to that injury and his  status for baseball was initially put into jeopardy.

 

Thankfully, he’s returned. However, he said he’s not having the season he would like to have despite solid number and despite a big season by the Indians to this point.

 

“It’s been really frustrating. There are certain pitches that look good I’m not able to get to,” said Smith. “It kills me to not be able to be out on short(stop) like I was last year. I feel like I’ve not been helping the team like I should.”

 

Smith is hopeful that will change before the end of the regular season and by the time the postseason begins.

 

“My arm feels like it is getting better. We were working yesterday on extending my arm and different throwing motions,” said Smith, who is being treated at Bridgeport Physical Therapy by Mike Martin and Krista Randolph. “I’ve seen a lot of progress from the beginning (of rehab), but it’s been very difficult to try to keep your head strong.”

 

Despite the injury, WVWC stayed with him. And partially because  of that, he opted to head less than an hour from home as opposed to considering the other team that was coming after him hard – West Virginia State.

 

“It made me feel a lot more comfortable (they stayed with me), and I felt like next year I’ll be even better and that’s what I told the coaches,” said Smith, who added that having former teammates at WVWC was also a factor.

 

Smith also said that “it felt like home when I was there. When I talked to their coaches they told me what I wanted to hear.”

 

This year, Smith’s time in the field has been a bit more limited. In his few starts on defense, he’s played a second base as opposed to shortstop. His action has come primarily as the designated hitter. Even there, Smith is contributing.

 

“He’s meant a lot to us and you can see the improvement daily,” Shields said. “I feel awful for him not being able to be out in the field regularly, but what’s important is that he’s remained level headed.

 

“When you’re as fierce as a competitor as Greg is, that’s not easy to do,” Shields continued. “Hopefully, when we get into May he’ll be at full strength.”

 

Editor's Note: Pictured at top is Smith, surrouned by his father Greg and his mother Jacci, while his sister Taylor is on the far left. Back row, from left, BHS Principal Mark DeFazio, Coach Robert Shields and BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto. Action photos of Smith by www.benqueenphotography.com.