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West Carrollton athlete invited to Fla. baseball camp

Contributed photo Casey Fannin, a senior at West Carrollton High School

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By Dale Huffman, Contributing columnist Updated 7:29 PM Sunday, November 29, 2009

Casey Fannin, a senior at West Carrollton High School, said he developed a “never-give-up” attitude about baseball when he was 9 years old.

“A coach told me I was a bit uncoordinated and that maybe I should not pursue sports,” Casey said. “I think that actually worked as motivation for me to keep on trying.”

According to Casey’s mom, Peggy Fannin, “My son would spend time at the ball park, all by himself, almost every day as he was growing up. He would hit ball after ball and run the bases. He really pushed himself.”

His plan worked. “Casey is now 6’7” and is successfully playing ball, not only for West Carrollton High, but also with teams at Patterson Park and at Sinclair Community College,” his mother said.

She added, “We are proud of him, not only for his ability to become a good ball player, but also for becoming an outstanding young man.”

The mother said, “Casey lost his best friend at school when they both were freshmen and his friend died from MRSA. That really made Casey grow up fast. It was such a terrible loss for him, and for all his fellow students.”

The mother said Casey is a good student, and makes excellent grades. She said he is participating in the group called SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students.)

Casey said that in addition to his love of sports, he is working hard to try to find scholarships so he can enter college, with hopes of becoming a police officer one day.

Meanwhile, something special has happened in Casey’s baseball world.

Scouts representing the Baseball Factory came to West Carrollton and watched Casey at bat and on the field, and invited him to come to Florida in a few weeks to participate in a training camp.

The Baseball Factory is a program that started in 1994 to help and educate young baseball players who show promise.

The organization recruits good players from high schools all over the nation and helps the players and their parents in the process of moving forward with a possible baseball career.

Casey will participate in a training camp being held at the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training facility in Bradenton, Fla., from Dec. 27-30. The camp and tournament is sponsored by the Baseball Factory and the UnderArmor company.

Since many Miami Valley residents have winter homes in Florida, Casey’s family is hoping that some of the “snowbirds” from Ohio might want to support the young players by attending the games in Bradenton.

“We are very proud of Casey,” Peggy Fannin said. “He just refuses to give up, and whatever he does in life, we know he will be successful.”

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He’d like to share a story about you, your family, or a friend. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

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