Sports

Judd's playing days not over yet


Published: July 10, 2009

Jean DePlacido

While most people were enjoying the fireworks on the 4th of July, Peabody's Chris Judd was busy undergoing a two-day tryout session for the New York State Pro Development League.

"It is supposed to be the No. 1 league in the country for players just out of college that don't get drafted," said Judd, a recent Curry College graduate. "Once you are placed on a team in that league scouts are at the games every day with the biggest group showing up on Wednesdays."

Over 100 players showed up for the workouts, and Judd was one of 50 selected. They were divided into two teams of 25 and will play each other in doubleheaders six days a week for the next month. Home base is West Chester, New York which is near New York City.

"I'm excited about this opportunity," said the former Peabody High pitcher/infielder. "For the next month I will live down here and have baseball as my top priority. I wasn't ready to give it up just yet, and hopefully, at the end of the month I will either sign with a pro team or an independent club — either one gives me a chance to get my foot in the door.

"We play doubleheaders every day except Sundays. Pro scouts and commissioners from the independent teams can sign you at any time if they like what they see. I thought I would have to get a hotel, but a buddy of mine from Curry lives in Greenwich, Connecticut which is only about 25 minutes away so I'll stay with him."

Judd made a hurry-up trip back home to collect his things, and then drove back to New York last Sunday night, ready to play the following day.

"I had thrown for Dave Kiazo, a scout for the Angels (of Anaheim), a dozen times. He's one of the best pitching coaches I've ever had, and he was interested in me, but I didn't get signed. Dave said he would do his best to keep me in the game."

Judd had also talked to managers of the Brockton Rox, Worcester Tornadoes, and Nashua Pride. He was told he would be contacted as soon as there was an opening, but then a better opportunity presented itself.

"It had crossed my mind that maybe that was it for my career, and I had been working landscaping on the side," said Judd. "I really want to make the most of this opportunity and see what develops."

Judd is coming off an outstanding season for the Colonels. He finished the season with a 7-1 record on the mound, and left Curry with two records; one for best single season and the other for best overall career mark (16-2). He had a 2.70 career ERA in only three years pitching.

"I didn't pitch much freshman year," said Judd. "I was the leadoff hitter the whole four years, and played mainly second base when I wasn't pitching. But I developed shoulder problems going into my junior year, and playing second puts a lot of strain on your shoulders. I wanted to focus on pitching this season, and was the DH.

"We had a real good season and won the conference with a 27-1 record (36-7 overall), but we lost the championship game to Western New England. The only losses in my college career were to them, and both years they won the championship," said Judd. "We were ranked 16th in the country and wound up being the only top 25 team in the country not to get an NCAA bid. Then to rub salt in the wound they dropped us to No. 14 after not picking us. We had a whole week of hard core practices getting ready and then stayed up until 3 a.m. when the selections were finally made. It was heartbreaking news, and a tough way to end the year, especially for the seniors."

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The U15 New England Aztec soccer team represented Massachusetts well at the Region 1 championship in West Virginia last weekend. The state champs lost the first game to PBA Ronaldo of New Jersey, 1-0. Aztec played exceptionally well against the No. 2 ranked team in NJ and 14th in the country (Aztec is ranked No. 2 in MA and 185th in the nation). After that the locals beat Vermont, 1-0 and Bridgeport AYSO from Connecticut, 2-0 to finish with a 2-1-0 record behind New Jersey. Only group winners advance to the semifinal round. Aztec concluded a great season, not only in results but growth of the players, who are coached by Ebbie Kodiat and his assistant Pete Lavasseur.

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Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and columnist for The Salem News. Contact her at jmdeplacido@aol.com.