Eric Fry Jr. hasn’t been having a tournament like he had last year, but he’s been just as important to the San Jacinto (Texas) College-North Gators as ever.
Fry was the lone all-tournament selection for San Jac in the 2006 World Series, batting .353 and roving center field making memorable catches.
After the Gators were knocked out by eventual champion Walters (Tenn.) State Community College, Fry returned to Houston more mature and ready to lead his team back to this year’s World Series.
“He has been the definitive leader for our team,” San Jacinto right fielder Jeremy Barfield said. “He’ll pick you up when you’re down. He will motivate you, he’ll get you fired up. Eric is a great teammate.”
Fry has help lead young talented players like Barfield and designated hitter Brandon Belt, who entered Thursday night’s game against New Mexico hitting .545.
“Last year, I thought I had to do more for the team but this year we’ve got people like Bell and Barfield,” Fry said. “This year I don’t have to do too much, I can be in a slump and we still do well as a team.”
No matter how hot or cold Fry is on the field, his role as a vocal leader has stayed consistent throughout the season.
He struck out twice Wednesday night against Chipola, but knowing his role, Fry said a bad game couldn’t let him get down on himself.
“I didn’t have a good game (Wednesday) but I had to stay up,” Fry said. “If I’m down, the whole team will get down. That proves that people look up to me on the field and that is what I want them to do.”
The Lake Charles, La., native originally came to San Jacinto because he was looking to play at the best junior college program, but knowing he would get homesick, he didn’t want to be too far from home.
Fry’s parents, Eric Sr. and Zelda, have traveled to the World Series for the second year in a row.
Eric Sr., who ran track in high school, said he has seen maturity from his son.
“He has made me real proud as a father,” the elder Fry said. “It is good to sit back and look at his maturity from the stands.”
Fry’s parents have been relocated to Bayfield, Texas, because of Hurricane Rita.
“My dad will always tell me this or that about my swing and my mom will come back and tell me the same thing as my dad,” Fry said. “I’ll say, ‘Mom, he just said that, you just got that from Dad.’ But I do like to see them in the stands.”
Eric Sr. did not disagree.
“I’ve been his coach since he was about three years old so I’ll still put in my two cents,” Eric Sr. said. “I’ll holler stuff in the stands to him, but he’s a real disciplined player and has grown up a lot.”
Fry’s current coach, Tom Arrington, has seen a lot of growth in the center fielder.
“Last year he was a good player but followed the sophomore players,” Arrington said. “This year, he stepped up his mental game.”
As much as he has matured as a leader, the physical skills are still there on the field.
In the batter’s box, Fry didn’t have a great tournament, hitting only .200 entering Thursday, but he still has been as dominant as ever in center, making eight plays in the field and having a perfect fielding percentage.
“He makes the game fun out there,” Barfield said. “He communicates well and is sure to make the play.”
Fry has made a huge impact in Grand Junction as one of only a select few who have made the World Series two years in a row.
His baseball path is far from over. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers last year as a draft-and-follow player.
Eric Sr. said the organization and the Frys are tying to work out a deal. If nothing is worked out, Oklahoma State will be the beneficiary of the talented outfielder’s skills.
Even with Fry’s bright future, his goal was short term — he desperately wanted a Junior College World Series championship ring.
He came up short when the Gators fell 10-9 on Thursday to New Mexico Junior College in an elimination game.
He wants a Junior College World Series ring.
“I just want to win this thing,” Fry said. “I don’t care who gets the publicity I just want to win.”
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Patrick Bahr can be reached via e-mail at sports@gjds.com.
