Baseball: Newnan sophomore helps lead U.S. to international 15-under title
By CHRIS GOLTERMANN
cgoltermann@newnan.com
One of the criticisms from Americans watching this summer’s Olympic Games was the absence of baseball.
But while the Games were coming to a conclusion in London, Newnan High sophomore Ty Herring was doing his best to represent our national pastime as a member of a 15-under Team USSSA lineup in the Mundial Hit 2012 International Baseball Tournament, from Aug. 6-12.
“It was interesting to play over there. It’s very different,” said Herring, who earned an invitation via e-mail from coaches while also playing for his HomePlate ChiliDogs-Wilson 15-under team out of Peachtree City the last four seasons. “They’re not as experienced as we are. They pitch a whole lot different and they warm up differently. It was a great experience. I always wanted to go out of the country.”
The seven victories also included wins over Slovakia (15-4), two against the Czech Republic (11-4, 12-1) and two more against South Italy, including a 6-1 effort in the tournament finals.
Baseball also has been rooted in Herring’s genes as well. The son of Vikkie Herring and former Newnan standout and 1989 National League Rookie of the Year Jerome Walton has many of the same aspirations as his father, who played for six teams including the Braves in a 10-year major league career. Walton is co-owner of the newly opened Centerfield Baseball Academy in Newnan.
“I’d love to play professional baseball someday,” said the 15-year-old, who also enjoys playing basketball and football. “Baseball seems to come naturally to me.“
It’s been a busy summer for Herring, who also played in the Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational in early July, where the ChiliDogs-Wilson lineup went 3-1.
The team also played in a Perfect Game tournament in Fort Myers, Fla.
