Smith signs with Potomac State
By TONY CIMAGLIA Tribune Managing Editor Mineral Daily News-Tribune

 

Bobby Smith (L), a Keyser High School graduate, recently signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his academic and baseball careers at Potomac State College of West Virginia University . Smith, who is currently playing on the Keyser Post 41 American Legion team, is seated next to his father, Bob Smith, who manages the Legion team. Tribune photo/Raymond Burner

Steve Beller.

That name may not ring a bell for some local residents, but it was certainly on the mind of Potomac State head baseball coach Doug Little when he recently signed Bobby Smith to play at PSC next season.

Beller pitched for the Catamounts in the mid-1990s and was the team's closer. As a freshman he led the country in saves, and he later went on to play at West Virginia University and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers.

"Bobby reminds me an awful lot of Beller," Little said. "They both have that submarine-style delivery that crosses a lot of hitters up."

Smith, a 2005 graduate of Keyser High School, was a starting pitcher for the Golden Tornado but will be converted to a closer once he begins his career at PSC.

 

"You don't see many guys like that," Little said of Smith's low, side-armed delivery. "It's really hard on hitters. You really get incredible movement on the ball when it's thrown from down there. Last season I saw three or four different teams that had a guy who threw sub-style, and I think it's something that might be coming back."

In his senior season, Smith compiled a record of 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in just 34 innings (1.38 per inning). His only two losses came to Jefferson, the West Virginia Class AAA champion, and Beall (Md.), the Maryland state champ.

As a matter of fact, those were the only two losses of Smith's high school career, as he went 10-2 in three years.

"I think he has a good frame," said Little. "He's tall and thin. If we can get more weight on him and get him stronger, he can only get better."

Smith is currently playing for the Keyser Post 41 American Legion baseball team, where he sports a 1-2 record with one save. He has 38 strikeouts in 21 innings (1.81 per inning). He is also hitting .320 at the plate with a home run and 21 RBI.

 

 

But what if Smith's transition from starter to closer doesn't work?

"I talked with him about (the transition), and he's very open to it, and that's a big part of it," Little said. "If it doesn't work, I think he'll still be a good guy out of the bullpen. He can definitely eat up some innings for us."

And if Smith can eat up the saves like Steve Beller did, who knows, maybe one day the Milwaukee Brewers will come calling for him.