2005

wEEK oF -+-F~r .:....t-.h --f] _____

Pitcher From Page JB

game a st Central was this faL ainst Mississippi Delta (C mmunity Col– lege). It was a little scary,'' he said. Perhaps the most ner– vous spectator is his moth·.· er, Dawn Fortenberry. · "It's just God and deter– mination that has brought him this far," she said. "The doctors tried to talk him out of playing. They said he was fortunate to have survived and even compared his injuries \\ 1th those received in a head-on car collision. But he's determined and we're hop– ing for a better year than ever." will have a new prosthetic eye made. Although it IS possible he will have to undergo additional surgery, Fortenberry is in hopes he has completed his treat– ments and is looking toward a bright future on the baseball diamond. Fortenberry and the East Central Community Col· lege Diamond Warriors begin season action at 2 p.m. today in a double· header with Copiah-Lin coln Community College at Jamie Clark Memorial Field on the Decatur cam– pus

"John is doing fme. He's healthy and seems happy to be back. I expect him to have a big impact on the team this year and to have time on the mound," Yarborough said. Since that fateful Jan– uary day, Fortenberry has had siX surgeries and has three plates and 19 screws in the right side of his face. It is only natural that he would be a bit nervous each time he steps on the mound. "I threw one time this summer for a semi-pro team. That was the flrst time since my surgery and the worst so far. My flrst that bans aluminum bats. "We hope that this {bill) is passed," she said. "John hopes this never happens to anyone else and we hope that no parents ever have to go through what we went through." Whatever happens. John Fortenberry said he is just glad to be back. "I want to do real good this year and if things go well, continue on to anoth– er level," he said. After his next check up with doctors, Fortenberry said she is glad to see a bill introduced in the legislature

"I've always dreamed of playing baseball. I still want to see if I can make it work. And I like to prove people \vrong. So many have said that I would never play again. 'i\s far as my pitching, there has been no major change, except that I can't ~tch a pop-up fly (ball)," "ortenberry said. Head coach Jake Yarbor– ~h was also pleased to ·e Fortenberry back on 11ound. Although they couldn't convince him to stay away from baseball, doctors did insist that Fortenberry wear a type of facemask ~ used mostly by bull riders to protect his face. some– thing that eases his par– ents' minds. "I'm nervous," said Dawn Fortenberry, ''but the face cage does make it easier. His dad (Cookie Fortenber– ry) and I are proud of him and we're glad he has the guts to get back out there. He just has a true love for baseball.'' Da\\n Fortenberry also

APPEAF..J:o IN :

..

LAKE MESSENGER-------:-– SCOTT COUNTY TIMES-----– UNION APPEAL--------- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL____ SPIRIT OFMORTON-------- fMPACT _____________

CARTHAGINIAN------- NESHOBA DEMOCRAT ____ NEWTON RECORD V ...::;,_ ______ MERIDIAN STAR------– CLARION-LEDGER------