Angie Wright kept stats for Andrean baseball coach Dave Pishkur as a student, but that was just Step 1 in pursuing a career after college.
With a degree in journalism and business from Indiana, Angie is getting closer to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a major league scout.
That's right, a lady scout. Got a problem with that?
"I was a runner. I've known sports my whole life. I was a girly tomboy," Angie said. "I want to be able to go watch games all over the country, then call somebody and tell them: 'You should watch this kid play.'"
So far, so good. The 1989 Andrean grad currently is an independent scout for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals. She's close to finishing an online course with the Global Scouting Bureau designed for persons "who know the game."
She'll then be fully qualified for an MLB position.
Angie considers catchers, pitchers and second basemen at the high school and college level as her expertise.
"The catcher position is the easiest way to get into MLB," she said. "I want to find the kids who really want it, not those who feel they 'owe it' to their parents. That doesn't work for me.
"It becomes a heart-wrenching story."
Angie says it's more difficult for a woman to be a professional baseball scout, to overcome the "good old boy" network that's been in place since Moses had short hair.
"It's who you know," she said. "It took a long time to prove to people what I know."
Chatting with this mother of two is like watching the Clint Eastwood film "Trouble with the Curve." Angie sounds a lot like Amy Adams when discussing the game and breaking it down.
"I like my gut feelings on things," Angie said. "Sometimes, I'm way too emotional so I can't read his story before I see him play.
"I look for consistency, how they handle adversity, and I look for heart. A lot of kids want the money. I look for the kid who says 'I want to wear that uniform.'"
Angie is not intimidated by male scouts, which is a good thing when you're competing for the same talent. She says she has no problem asking questions and I'm sure they respect that.
The Griffith resident will soon leave for spring training in Arizona, where she'll check out HoHoKam Stadium, Surprise Stadium and Camel Back Park.
"I love the game. I grew up with the game. Just give me a chance," Angie said.
She already has a foot in the door. It's a good start.
This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at al.hamnik@nwi.com
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