By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
LEEDS – On Monday, the Leeds Green Wave celebrated the signing of 3 of their senior baseball players to play at the collegiate level. Andrew Howard, Alex Bradford and Caden Vance, part of a team that won a school-record 75 games in 3 seasons, were the athletes honored during the ceremony, surrounded by their families, coaches and teammates as well as other faculty and staff at Leeds High School.
Howard, a pitcher and outfielder for the Green Wave, signed to play at Wallace Community College in Selma. Howard had 19 career wins that were impressive, but coach Jake Wingo said, “We could have helped him get more if we had played better defense and hit the ball a little more,” to a chorus of laughs from the crowd. Howard had 187 strikeouts from the mound in his career and has a 3.3 GPA. “It feels very good to see all of the work I have put in and the support I have to come out here and enjoy this day with me,” said Howard. “I would say to the underclassmen that they just need to be coachable. Listen to your coaches and mostly, have fun. Just fall in love with the game.”
Coach Wingo said of Howard, “He is a very competitive person. Very intense player. He was a starting pitcher for 3 years. Everyone we played talked about how good he was and how hard he was to beat. He also played in the outfield and did great for us as a hitter. I am super proud to see him get to play at the next level because he deserves it. He’s a really great player.”
Bradford, a 4-year starter for the Green Wave, had to battle through some injuries this past season but still contributed to the team. He signed to play for Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. He had 113 career hits despite the injury-plagued senior season he had and had a 3.7 GPA in the classroom. “It feels really good,” said Bradford. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment since seventh grade. It’s something I have always worked toward. I’d say to the younger guys to stay coachable, stay hungry and it can happen for you.”
Coach Wingo’s thoughts on Alex Bradford, “He’s a 4-year starter for us. A great leader and teammate. Exceptional player. He’s the guy that really carried us through the tough times. He was the leading force when we were struggling.”
Vance, who played first base and outfielder, joins Howard at Wallace Community College in Selma as he also signed to play with them on Monday. He ends his Leeds career with 106 hits but his performance in the classroom is, at the very least, as impressive as his performance on the field. He ended his academic career at Leeds with a 4.2 GPA and scored a 27 on his ACT. “The day means everything to me,” said Vance. “Just all of the work I’ve put in over the years and to be able to sign and have loved ones around me, it just means the world to me. I would say to the underclassmen to keep on pushing. When I first started high school, I never thought I would have this opportunity, but it has happened for me, and it can happen. Just pray, believe, and trust in the process and you can do it too.”
Coach Wingo had the following to say about Caden, “Caden is one of the most disciplined players I have ever coached. He is a hard worker and a respectful kid. He’s got a 4.2 GPA. It’s good to see a kid that works hard get what they work for.”
Wingo added, “I would say to the underclassmen, that they have big shoes to fill. This is the biggest senior class we have had a Leeds in baseball. We have high expectations and I hope it brins motivation. These guys had to play as 8th and 9th graders. These underclassmen have had to wait their time so hopefully it’s a motivation for them to do what they have to do to make it to where these guys have.”
All 3 signees were also part of the leadership council, made up of 5 members from the baseball team.