Darren Ford

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<a href=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=393618#post393618 target=_blank>Several players assigned to Helena</a>

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<b><font size=4>homecomingClass-A outfielder from Vineland plays in front of family in Lakewood</font></b>

LAKEWOOD — Darren Ford raced to the outfield wall. He had both eyes locked on the ball that flew off the bat of Lakewood BlueClaws John Urick.

With a loud thump, the West Virginia Power center fielder ran into the advertisement-filled wall at First Energy Park and barely missed the ball. His mother, Carla Ford, jumped to the edge of her chair.

“Are you all right, baby?” she yelled from nearly 300 feet away.

It didn't matter that Ford couldn't hear her. Carla, along with the 10 other family and friends, were worried about their star.

“If I could, I would be on the field right now running over to him,” Carla said. “Even though he's not going to tell me if anything is wrong, but I talk to him everyday and I know when something is the matter.”

Ford, a Vineland High School graduate, walked off the field at the end of the half inning and gave his mother sitting five rows behind the visiting dugout a reassuring look even though he did hurt his back on the play.

It's just part of the job of a mother of a minor-league baseball player. Along with unwavering support, an ear to complain to and, when possible, a home-cooked meal.

“It doesn't matter where he is,” said his mother, who also blows kisses to her son as he rounds the bases. “I'll be there.”

Ford was promoted to the leadoff hitter of West Virginia this year, the single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Ford, an 18th-round pick in 2004, has the type of speed and defense for a center fielder that clubs salivate over, the only problem was he didn't have the bat to match.

After 25 games with the Power, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Ford had a .273 on-base percentage. For a leadoff hitter that was drastically low.

“Early in the year I was trying to get on base and not being patient enough,” Ford said. “We tinkered with my stance a bit, started with my hands lower. Every player is going to have on and off days. You just have to learn how to overcome the off days.”

Since then, Ford raised his OBP 61 points to .334. While he is currently mired in a 7-for-40 slump, which has dropped his average to .260, he is still getting on base via the walk. Once he's there, he changes to the tempo of the game and becomes a serious threat with his 38 stolen bases, which is fourth-best in the South Atlantic League.

“That's one thing you need to be a leadoff hitter, great speed,” said West Virginia manager Ramon Aviles, an infielder on the Phillies' 1980 World Series champions. “He's learning the strike zone and getting on base. He's becoming a good leadoff hitter with knowledge.”

But even though his average isn't where he would like it, Ford is still putting up respectable numbers. He has 54 runs, which is tied for first on the team with roommate Lorenzo Cain and 10th in the league, 33 RBIs, 15 doubles, two triples and a homer.

“On this level you try to help the players out to make adjustments. You want to make them better not just for this level, but for the big league level if they get there,” Aviles said. “All the guys here are like diamonds that you are trying to polish.”

While Ford is playing Lakewood this week, he is relishing the opportunity to play in New Jersey. Besides saving cellular phone minutes by having his family on hand, he has never gotten the chance to play in his home state on the professional level. However, the best part about being close to home is the time he spends with his family, especially his sisters Janine, 24, and Marianna, 15.

Though his mother and friends visit Ford once a month, many times his sisters can't make the trip. But more than that he's worried about not being able to watch over them.

“It's hard because I want to know what they are doing at all times,” Ford said. “I have to be a big brother and look out for them, but they know too every time I go away I have to go for baseball. I have to do something about my life.”

[645]

Center of attention (http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=509703#post509703)

[645]

Player: Darren Ford
Date: 04/05/2007
Action: Placed on the 7-day DL
From Team: West Virginia Power
To Team: West Virginia Power

[645]

Player: Darren Ford
Date: 04/12/2007
Action: Activated from the 7-day DL
From Team: West Virginia Power
To Team: West Virginia Power

[645]

Player: Darren Ford
Date: 06/08/2007
Action: Transferred
From Team: West Virginia Power
To Team: Brevard County Manatees

[645]

Player: Darren Ford
Date: 07/20/2008
Action: Traded
From Team: Brevard County Manatees
To Team: San Francisco Giants