It’s already been an eventful summer for two Jackson High School baseball players.
Pitcher Geoff Brown and catcher/utility player Kawika Emsley-Pai, both members of the Class of 2007, have been busy since they helped Jackson win the Class 4A state championship on May 27 at Safeco Field.
On July 12, Brown announced he has made a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship from the University of Washington. The left-handed pitcher earned the victory and hit a home run in the 4A title game. Brown also considered Oregon State, which last month won the College World Series.
Brown, a first-team, all-league pick, said he wanted to play where family and friends could watch him. Also, the Huskies coaches impressed him: “They’re a great coaching staff, fun guys to be around — low key and they love the game,” he said.
If he signs an NCAA letter of intent with Washington, which could happen as early as Nov. 9, Brown would join former Jackson teammates Cam Nobles and Joey Lind on the UW roster.
Brown, who originally made his decision early in the 2005-06 school year, said he talked to Washington head coach Ken Knutson to confirm his commitment.
In other news, Brown and Emsley-Pai, also a first-team, all-league pick, participated in the eight-team USA Baseball Tournament of Stars June 20-25 at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, Mo. They were among 144 players from around the country invited to participate in a prestigious event that is both a scouting showcase and a tryout for the USA Baseball Junior National Team (ages 18 and under).
“It was just awesome to play in it. It was an honor,” Brown said.
Following a full week of games, Emsley-Pai was one of 32 players picked for the junior national team. He heads to Atlanta on Sept. 6 for more tryouts, including several intrasquad games and two exhibition contests against Chinese Taipei. From there, USA Baseball officials will pick 18 players for the final junior national team. The group is scheduled to compete in the Junior World Tournament in Cuba starting on Sept. 17.
“The whole atmosphere (was exciting),” Emsley-Pai said of playing in Joplin. “The whole city was into it.”
Nobles, formerly of Jackson, also played in the tourney. Greg Peavey of Hudson’s Bay of Vancouver was the only other Washington player to advance to Atlanta.
Emsley-Pai got zero hits at the Tournament of Stars, but a different number — 1.82 — caught the attention of scouts and coaches. That’s the time, in seconds, of his best “pop-to-pop” throw, which measures how long it takes a catcher to catch a pitch and get the ball to second base. Emsley-Pai said his top time is considered better than the standard college and pro standards (2.0 and 1.9, respectively).
“I didn’t get one hit,” he said, “but defensively I felt like I played the best I ever have in my life.”
Also a star football player, Emsley-Pai will miss at least two Jackson football games while pursuing a spot on the junior national baseball team.
While Brown has already made a college commitment, Emsley-Pai is still looking. Emsley-Pai said his top four choices are Texas, Clemson, Arkansas and Arizona State. He’s scheduled an official visit to Texas and said he’ll make a decision this fall.
Mike Cane writes for The Herald in Everett.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.