MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTO
First baseman Scott Siley (front) serves as Washington’s vocal leader when not protecting Jake Wright in the lineup.
By Ed Morrone
Wire Sports Editor
At George Washington baseball games, odds are Scott Siley will be both seen and heard by the spectators in attendance, especially if one of his teammates reaching first base results in a pick-off attempt.
Anytime the opposing pitcher tosses over to keep an Eagles base runner honest, a familiar chorus of cheers erupts from the G.W. bench, with Siley arriving deliberately late as the conversation’s exclamation point.
“Back!”
“Back!”
Five to 10-second pause…
“YOU’RE GOOOOOOOOOD!”
The junior first baseman’s accentuated, over-the-top bellows from the team’s dugout serve as much needed comic relief, a way to keep things light during a tense ballgame. Siley’s antics have bonded his team, giving the Eagles a sense of togetherness both on and off the field.
“It started out on my old travel team, the Bensalem Ramblers, where everyone was always up against the fence screaming, kind of like I do now,” he said. “It just stuck.”
Last season — Siley’s first on varsity — Washington had a young team that limped to a 5–8 division finish. Siley and his teammates dedicated themselves to improving in the off-season, and their work has certainly paid off. The Eagles have hit together as a team since November, in the outdoor batting cage at G.W. or at the new indoor Sluggersville hitting facility at 9490 Blue Grass Road.
What’s emerged is a newfound confidence, which has been through the roof for Siley while hitting behind sensational cleanup hitter Jake Wright.
“It’s awesome batting behind Jake,” Siley said. “You know he’s going to be on base, whether they walk him or he hits his way on. He’s that great of a hitter, one who barely makes outs. My eyes light up when I have the opportunities like I had today.
“My confidence has grown. I’m batting behind Jake Wright, so how could it not? They’re giving me opportunities, and I’m capitalizing.”
During a recent George Washington game, Siley drew comparisons to Michael Young from his teammates. Young, who compiled more than 2,000 hits while playing for the Texas Rangers, was signed by the Phillies this past offseason to protect Ryan Howard in the batting order. Howard, a known slugger and home run threat like Wright, often gets pitched around in late-game situations, opening the door for a hitter like Young to come through in the clutch, as Siley did.
“We have pretty much the same team as last year, so we’ve grown to know and trust each other,” said Siley. “The cheering and encouragement, those things help. We believe in that kind of stuff.”
It’s safe to say self-confidence will continue to not be a problem for the bespectacled, bearded Siley, especially if the Eagles continue to win.
“Scott’s a great kid, and he’s really worked hard on his swing,” head coach Ken Geiser said. “He’s a good hitter, and he’s batting fifth for a reason.”
And what about Siley’s interesting persona, Coach?
“Scott’s not a pitcher, and he still comes up to me before practice some days and says, ‘Coach, I’m going to pitch today,’” Geiser said. “I’m like, ‘Right, Scott.’ He’s the kind of guy teams need, a guy that keeps things light and fun. And I like that, because that’s the kind of guy I am, too. But when I step between those lines, I’m competitive as hell. So is he.”
With still two weeks left in the regular season, continued contributions from someone like Siley can only help the Eagles realize their expectations. Rivals Frankford High School has won the last two Public League championships, but Washington is a team that has the talent to be there in the end.
