High Schools

<< Previous   of   Next >> Chris Goodenow / For The Herald  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale’s Chase Anselment throws the ball during a March 13 baseball practice. The catcher/reliever has developed into one of the state’s top players.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 PREP BASEBALL: A while back, Meadowdale High's baseball coach didn't want freshmen playing varsity, but Chase Anselment was just too talented to pass on. He's even better now. By John Sleeper Herald Columnist LYNNWOOD -- Two years ago, Meadowdale baseball coach Bill Hummel issued an edict: No freshmen on varsity. None. Don't need 'em. Don't shove them in the lineup before they're ready. Don't even ask. It seemed wise at the time. Hummel had a cadre of veterans he was confident in. This would be the year he would let the kids sit and learn or play on the JV team to get some playing experience. Then Chase Anselment came along. A senior thought he had the catching job nailed down. But along came a pair of freshmen, Anselment and Roger O'Neill, who soon took over the starting and backup catching spots, respectively. "I thought, 'Forget it; I'm not taking any freshmen; I don't care how good they are,'" Hummel said. "They're 15 in their heads and they're playing 18-year-olds. It's not a good fit. But they were so good. So I was playing around with lineups and knew I had to get Chase in there. One of my assistants said, 'I'm glad you finally could figure that out all by yourself.'" Anselment, a junior catcher / relief pitcher, has developed into one of the state's top players. Baseball Northwest rates him as the No. 3 player in the state for the Class of 2009. He already has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Washington upon graduation and appears to be on a fast track to the major leagues. The senior simply was overmatched. There was nothing he could do. He was a victim of superior talent. "When I was a freshman, I knew I was probably going to make varsity, but I didn't know how much playing time I was going to get," Anselment said. "I was surprised ending the year starting every game." Probably, we're talking destiny here. Anselment has played catcher since before he can remember. In elementary school, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always said he wanted to be a major league baseball player. He toyed around with basketball for a while, but always knew that baseball was his sport. It's hard to argue, looking at this season's stats. Anselment is hitting .366, with three homers and 21 RBI, even though the word is out on him. He sees a lot of 3-1 breaking stuff. Many simply pitch around him. He has walked 16 times. The tools are there. Now he needs to refine them. "He just needs to be more consistent," Hummel said. "He seems to understand when he has a bad at bat. We really talk to our kids to make sure they have a good plan at the plate. We try to learn as much about a pitcher from the pitcher's bullpen on. Once in a while, he'll get out front and roll over on one and he'll understand what he's done wrong. He does a good job making adjustments." Hummel says Anselment is a solid defensive catcher, with a good arm and quick feet. Anselment also is making a name for himself as a lockdown closer. In 152/3 innings, he has struck out 23 hitters and walked four. He's 0-2 with four saves and a 0.92 ERA. Teams are hitting just .155 off him. "He transitions so well," Hummel said. "Think about what we're asking this kid to do. Go catch five or six innings and go catch one or two. It's a hard thing to do. And he seems to transition easily from one to the other. He throws strikes, he's aggressive when he gets ahead and slams the door." The challenges Hummel asks of Anselment can only help the player later on. At Washington, he will be able to concentrate only on catching, yes, but he also will be asked to complete a more demanding curriculum. The chances are solid that Anselment will attend Washington instead of starting his career in the minors. On the other hand, he said, if a major league organization drafts him in the first five rounds or offers him a signing bonus of $500,000 or more, Anselment may have a decision to make. "College is a big thing," Anselment said. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to play baseball the rest of my life, so I'd like to get an education." For now, though, Anselment's vision is on helping the 14-9 Mavericks make their way into a second straight state Class 3A semifinal berth at Safeco Field. Their journey in the state playoffs starts Saturday against West Seattle in Mount Vernon. The Mavericks finished fourth last season. "That would make my high school career, just top it off, to make it there two years in a row," Anselment said. "I'd love to win a game there this year. I think this is our best chance. We've got the most potential and talent." Sports columnist John Sleeper: sleeper@heraldnet.com. For Sleeper[`]s blog, click on www.heraldnet/danglingparticiples.com.

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