Sunday, January 20, 2013

Florida A&M Rattlers, new coach seek fresh start

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Under the watchful eyes of a young Kevin Clethen, players hoping for a spot on this year’s FAMU baseball team went through rapid-fire drills during a tryout Saturday morning at Moore-Kittles Field.

Pitchers worked with a radar gun trained on their throws, and players at all positions participated in a workout that lasted 2 1/2 hours.

Not a soul seemed distracted by the controversy surrounding Willie Brown, who coached the Rattlers last season. While Brown, who was fired after an investigation into sexual harassment allegations by walk-on Denard Williams II, fights to get his name cleared, Clethen has the task of keeping the players focused as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Thirty-four players, including Williams, participated in the tryout. Three newcomers from the Big Bend — catcher Garrett Johnson of Leon, pitcher Jordan Montague (Wakulla High) and infielder Kendal Week (Munroe High) — also took park in the workout.

Players weren’t available for interviews because of the circumstances surrounding Brown’s dismissal. They open the season Feb. 15 with a four-game series at Troy University.



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