Ecton Lawrence "Ji" Billiot Jr.
July 7, 2008
Jaime Pineda
July 11, 2008
Bubba Bell is entering his second year as a Sea Dog. Just don’t ask him what that is.
“That’s a good question,” he said of the unusual mascot. “According to the logo, it’s a dog with fins like a dolphin. I don’t think it’s a real animal. At least, I’ve never seen one. It’s a cool mascot name though.”
That people ask more about the mascot than the team’s standings doesn’t bother Bell.
The former Nicholls State University outfielder is just happy to be playing on a professional team.
Portland, Maine, has been the 25-year-old’s home since 2007, when he was called up from the Lancaster JetHawks, the Boston Red Sox Single-A affiliate. Bell, a starting outfielder for the Portland Sea Dogs, has found himself making headway with the Double-A organization since he was drafted out of Nicholls State by the Red Sox in the 39th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.
He is currently batting .300 through 66 games this season. He has 80 hits with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.
Slowly, Bell is becoming a top prospect and fan favorite for the Red Sox. He participated in the club’s promotional “Future of Fenway” game, which allows minor league prospects to play at Boston’s historic Fenway Park.
“That was exciting,” Bell said. “It’s a thing they do to kind of prepare guys and calm their nerves because we played in front of 25,000 people. It’s a chance to calm down and learn, so it’s a good thing.”
During his two seasons in the minors, Bell has noticed an improvement in his game. In fact, he’s improved every year since college, especially in his batting technique.
“My approach at the plate has become a lot more refined and my power has increased,” he explained. “There is a lot of situational stuff that I have to constantly think about, where before I would just let my instinct take over.”
Bell’s also honing his fielding skills. “You can’t make mistakes throwing to the wrong base and get away with it like in college. I’ve come a long way, even since Nicholls. I’m happy to take in as much as I’ve learned and, hopefully, it’ll continue.”
Even though he has reached Double-A ball, Bell said that he no longer sets a timetable to actually reach the majors. According to Bell, he learned through his agent and a Red Sox sports psychologist that setting a timetable will only increase the chances for feelings of failure.
“I’m in a unique position here with the Red Sox,” he explained. “With us or the Yankees, it’s an extremely hard organization to go up through the ranks and into the big leagues. I’ve done OK with my progression.”
Bell has worked his way up the ranks quickly, making it to Double-A ball in just his third year in the minor league system. But he still struggles with the feeling that he isn’t moving fast enough. Bell said he is anxious for the opportunity to one day play for one of Major League Baseball’s elite franchises.
“I’m seeing a lot of guys that I started playing against in A ball and in Rookie Ball that are getting up to the big leagues and that are getting their shot,” he said. “I have to realize that I am with a tough organization. It’s one of those types of things that I only worry about what I can control. Everything else I just have to put past me and not worry about it.”
In the meantime, minor league is competitive, which helps players develop their skills. Since all of Bell’s teammates have the same goal in mind – making it to the major leagues – he said it’s fun to watch everyone play their best.
He thrives on the pressure knowing that there are other athletes looking to take his spot if he does not succeed.
“If I don’t perform, then there is going to be somebody there who will,” he said. “It’s magnified now being in a marquee organization. It could be really easy to get caught up into thinking about that, but again that’s one of the things I try to control.”
He added, “If another kid is coming up and he is hitting .360 or .370 and he’s hitting more home runs, it’s just kind of the nature of the business. That’s why I go out there and give myself the best chance to perform and do everything I can to make sure nothing happens.”
Adjusting to life in the minor leagues takes work, too, Bell admits. Unlike in the majors, minor league teams are only allowed to fly if the trip is over an eight-hour drive. Since Portland is the northernmost team in the Eastern League, road trips during the seven-month season are often long and grueling.
Although playing ball professionally has its perks, Bell said road games are usually the toughest, especially with minor league pay being subpar. According to BaseballAmerica.com, rookie players earn $1,100 monthly; A and AA ballplayers earn $1,200-$1,400 monthly; and AA, which is the level at which Bell plays, earn $1,450 to $1,600 monthly; and AAA players earn $1,650 to $2,000. All leagues pay a $20 per diem for meals during road games.
Being so far away from home isn’t easy either, but the Paris, Texas, native, who credits his dad for influencing him in life, said he has learned to adjust, in large part due to playing college ball at Nicholls.
“It’s one of those things that going to school further away from home got me used to,” Bell said. “It’s tough at times, but I’m at the point where it’s been a couple years and I am used to it.”
On occasion, he still sees former Colonels teammate, Toronto Blue Jay-affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats infielder Anthony Hatch. The two teams have played each other four times already this season, and Bell was given to chance to sit down and have lunch with his former teammate on multiple occasions.
“I hadn’t seen him since Nicholls,” Bell explained. “It’s always cool playing against people I know. It’s been nice.”
It’s the camaraderie and the passion that drives Bell. He hopes it pays off with a spot on the Red Sox roster.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot better than going into an office and having an everyday job,” he said. “My job is going out to the park and trying to get better everyday and working toward getting to the big leagues. Every day that you can play, it’s just another good day.”
Portland Sea Dog Bubba Bell adds a hit to this season’s 66. The former Nicholls State graduate is batting .300 for the Sea Dogs. The outfielder hopes to soon earn a spot on the Boston Red Sox’ roster. * Photo courtesy of Bubba Bell
