Perfect Timing
Published on August 7, 2005 under Frontier League (FL)
Chillicothe Paints News Release
Life is coming at Brian Colopy pretty fast these days.
And so are a lot of other things.
A little more than three weeks ago, Colopy was still in school. He was closing in on the end of the summer term, his college baseball days behind him, filling time -- and a requirement for graduation -- by interning with the Southern Ohio Copperheads, a summer-league college team that plays its home games at Ohio University.
It was Colopy's next-to-last day of class. And it was a phone call from an ex-major leaguer.
"It was really perfect timing," said Colopy, fresh off his 14th game with the Paints on Aug. 4. "I mean, I'm finishing up class and I'm hearing that Glenn Wilson is calling for me, wanting me to come play in Chillicothe. It couldn't have been better."
It couldn't get much better for the Paints. That Aug. 4, Colopy made a name for himself among Paints faithful with his breathtaking play at third base. On top of that, Colopy -- whose .375 average through his first 15 games was better than expected, though nobody is counting on him to swing a huge bat -- is the perfect third-base compliment to Scott Lefler -- a guy who does swing a big bat but doesn't play the same level of defense.
It went that quick for Brian Colopy. From book-study to baseball, from intern to infield.
Things are coming at the guy pretty quick right now.
"He's a rookie with guts," Wilson said. "He's a little guy who's probably been looking up his whole life, and that probably has a lot to do with it."
Forget looking up for right now. Brian Colopy is looking good.
That Aug. 4, Colopy saved at least three runs with his glove -- with his biggest play of the game coming on a screaming line drive to his right. Colopy left his feet, dove toward the line, stabbed at the ball and saved a sure double with a stunning play.
That's the other thing that's coming at Colopy pretty fast. Third base is not called the hot corner for nothing.
"It's hard to get used to those screamers right at your head," Colopy said. "Playing third, sometimes you just have to take it in the chest, pick up the ball and make the play."
If early indications are a true testimony of what to expect from Colopy, then his glove is what will make the biggest mark on the Paints. But the offense wasn't bad either. Through Aug. 5, Colopy hit safely in all but three of his starts, had more than one hit six times and scored 10 runs. He did strike out a lot -- on average a little less than once per game -- but part of that might simply be because the light-speed pace life is on for him.
"The first day I came to Chillicothe, I came thinking I was going to take batting practice," he said. "Then they come to me and tell me I'm starting at third. I know I'm real rusty right now, but I feel like I'm starting to put together some pretty good at-bats."
"He makes it difficult to not put his name on the lineup card every day," Wilson said. "Which is a good problem to have. He has a big upside and he's only going to keep getting better."
Frontier League Stories from August 7, 2005
- Perfect Timing - Chillicothe Paints
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- Grizzlies club six homers in beating Otters - Evansville Otters
- 'Hawks losing streak reaches five games - Rockford RiverHawks
- Wild Things' streak continues - Washington Wild Things
- 'Hawks losing streak reaches five games - Rockford RiverHawks
- Ohia Valley stops Windy City 13-8 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Otters trade Martin, pick up pair - Evansville Otters
- Traverse City Beach Bum notes - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Freedom defeat defending champs, 8-4 - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
- Roosters continue to give River City trouble - Richmond Roosters
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