Japan-bound Kennesaw native has 'never been more in love' with baseball

by Adam Carrington
acarrington@mdjonline.com
The Marietta Daily Journal

Stephen Douglas has yet to fulfill his dream of playing Major League Baseball after six years of competing in the minor leagues.

But the former Kennesaw Mountain High School and East Tennessee State star still says he's living the dream - one that has seen him play for nine teams in seven states since his days as a Mustang.

Now, the dream will bring him east to a 10th team - Far East.

The 26-year-old outfielder recently signed with the Kagawa Olive Guyners of Japan's Shikoku Island League, an independent team based about 400 miles west of Tokyo - by far, the furthest of all the far-off stops he's made since graduating from Kennesaw Mountain.

Many players may begin considering new career paths when they haven't progressed beyond the low Class A?ranks after six years, but not Douglas.

The 26-year-old still has time on his side, knowing many major leaguers don't retire until they're in their late 30s or early 40s, and there are many players his age who are in the same situation.

And the biggest reason Douglas continues to play is that he's still learning the game and improving.

"Some people, when things don't go their way, lose their love for the game," Douglas said. "With age, baseball becomes more interesting. Man, I'm telling you, I've never been more in love with baseball right now, and it's continuing to be a passion. You're still learning."

Douglas learned a lot about himself when he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 16th round of the 2006 draft, following his junior season with the East Tennessee State. He learned to be himself and play to his strengths, which is hitting for average and driving in runs.

In looking back upon his pro career, one possible theory as to why Douglas hasn't been able to progress very quickly in the professional ranks is the high demand for outfielders who can slug 30 or more home runs a year.

At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Douglas isn't built to be a power hitter. He wasn't a home run hitter for Kennesaw Mountain, and didn't hit many home runs while he was at East Tennessee State.

Even though Douglas hit .263 in '06 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Indians' short-season Class A affiliate in Niles, Ohio, he only hit .224 with no homers the following year.

Douglas' struggles improving his power numbers may have contributed to the Indians' reasoning behind releasing him in 2007.

"So many people are caught up in power numbers, and that's probably it," said Kennesaw Mountain coach George Hansen, who coached Douglas from 2001-03. "He's a guy who is well-rounded and can do a lot of things well, but not one thing super-well. We're living in a time when people want players to do one thing super-well. Stephen is an old-school type of player born in the wrong time frame."

Douglas did admit that his lack of power got to his head in the past, and he would find himself swinging for the fence. But once he matured and recognized his strengths and weaknesses, his numbers improved drastically in the independent leagues.

After spending 2008 with the Amarillo Dillas of the United League, and '09 with the Traverse City Beach Bums and Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League - where he hit a combined .171 with the two teams - Douglas returned to Amarillo in 2010 and prospered.

He raised his average to .316 in 2010, totaling eight homers, 56 RBIs and 35 stolen bases - all career-highs.

Last year, though he bounced among three teams - the El Paso Diablos, Grand Prairie AirHogs and Lancaster Barnstormers - Douglas continued to succeed, hitting a combined .380 with 39 doubles and 79 RBIs in 103 games.

"You can't try to do too much," Douglas said. "Most of baseball is mental. You have to understand that you can't hit a double at every at-bat. There are always elements working against you. Baseball is a game of failure. You're going to let your team down and yourself down. You just have to take it in stride and stay positive."

One of Douglas' better memories as a pro came this past season, when he went 3-for-5 with three RBIs in the game that sealed the American Association championship for Grand Prairie. Afterwards, he was traded to Lancaster where he maintained a solid .412 average in 17 at-bats.

Douglas' success last season helped him become one of eight American players selected to cross the Pacific Ocean and play on the other side of the globe. As a new member of the Kagawa Olive Guyners, he has an opportunity to gain exposure.

Douglas will head to the Japan in early March, a month before the 2012 season, which lasts from April through September. He also has a growing family as he and his wife, Rebecca, are expecting their first child in February.

Douglas is anticipating a solid season in a new country but knows he may go through some lumps. If he should struggle in a game, he can always remind himself of one of his philosophies - just like a fine wine, baseball gets better with age.

Source: http://mdjonline.com/bookmark/16939088

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