They’re Baaaack: Manning Camp returns to Thibodaux
July 11, 2012
Clock ticks as Brees deadline day looms
July 11, 2012
Former Nicholls State slugger and Terrebonne High School graduate Blake Bergeron was not selected in the 2012 MLB Draft.
But that doesn’t mean his dream of being a major league ballplayer is over – in his eyes, it’s only just begun.
Bergeron recently signed a contract to play with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
The Wingnuts are not affiliated with an MLB organization, but they do offer the former Colonel an opportunity to continue to play at the professional level – a shot to try and impress scouts to continue to progress up the professional ladder.
“This is a great opportunity for me to hopefully work my way up the ranks,” Bergeron said. “I’m really happy to be here – really happy to be able to continue to play the game that I’ve been playing now for close to 20 years.”
Bergeron’s path to the professional level is abnormal – a plot with a few twists and turns.
The 6-foot, 2-inch, 225-pound slugger did not get picked in the MLB Draft, despite making 166 starts in college and hitting .265 for his career with 32 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home tunes and 110 career RBI.
Bergeron said he didn’t let the snub deter his plans and he recently competed in a talent showcase in Detroit to try and earn the attention of scouts.
“I was just trying to keep my name out there and try to keep myself as someone that people were looking for,” he said.
After completing the showcase, Bergeron said he also called different baseball minds, including his former summer league coach to ask if any opportunities were available around the country.
“I just wanted to let people know through word of mouth that there was a guy out there still looking to play ball,” Bergeron said. “A guy that is a first base, third base kind of player who could help someone in the right situation.”
Bergeron eventually got his break.
The former Terrebonne standout said he was enjoying a “normal summer day” last week when his phone began to buzz.
On the other end of the line was his summer baseball coach.
“He told me, ‘I found you a team. You’re going to go play for the Wingnuts,’” Bergeron said. “He gave me the phone number for the team’s general manager. I called him up and he told me where to meet him at the next day and I was in the lineup the next night.
“It happened real fast. It happened all at once. But I wanted it to be that way because I really needed to get back out on the field so that I could stay sharp.”
The Wingnuts picked up Bergeron at the midpoint of their season.
The powerful slugger said they currently lead the league’s Central Division by more than eight games. The Wingnuts had a 31-11 record at the time Bergeron was signed.
The former Colonel made his pro debut the day he was signed and started ‘a couple of ballgames back-to-back’ to get his feet wet at the professional level.
He said it was weird to be playing pro baseball for the first time.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” he said. “But it was just different. It’s a different feel and I just wanted to go out there and do the absolute best that I could so that I could make a good impression on my team and teammates.”
Bergeron said his role for the remainder of the season will likely be as a power bat off of the Wingnuts’ bench and also a situational defensive player.
“I’m ready to do anything that they ask of me,” Bergeron said. “I’m here to try and help this team win ballgames and stay on the roll that we were on before I got here.”
The team plays 30 games in July and travels all across the Midwest and Texas. He hasn’t actually even been to Wichita yet. He met the team in Dallas in the middle of its current eight-game road trip.
Living life on the road is the biggest adjustment the former Colonel said he’s had to make.
“Life on the road is different,” he said with a laugh. “It’s definitely something that takes a little while to get used to – all of the traveling.”
But to him, it’s a dream.
He’s finally a professional ballplayer.
“It feels great, but I’m not dwelling on it or anything,” he said. “I just want to play good baseball for the Wingnuts. The speed of the game is a little different – things are slightly faster here – just like things are slightly faster in college compared to high school. But I’m adjusting and trying to be as ready as I can be.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and I’m excited that I’m able to continue to play. It’s a blessing. It really is.”
Former Nicholls State infielder Blake Bergeron plays defense during a game last season. Known for his quick bat and slugging ability, Bergeron made his professional debut this past week with the Wichita Wingnuts.
