McCluer has a solid glove at the hot corner
By Leon Devance
For the St. Louis American
If defense were the only requirement for playing championship baseball, then McCluer, behind the rock-steady play of junior third baseman Charles Williams Jr., should be crowned champions of the Suburban North Conference.
Defensively, Williams averages three outs per game, two assists and one put-out. Williams has not committed an error this season; his fielding percentage is perfect.
Williams maintains that when he is on defense, he positions himself according to the pitching pattern he anticipates as catcher Glenn Shanks Jr. calls the game.
“I look at what the pitcher is throwing, and play the count accordingly. Then I look at the catcher to see the signals,” said Williams.
“If the batter is left-handed, then I play toward the hole. If the pitch is off-speed, then I will play toward the middle. When the batter is right-handed, I crowd the line to take away the extra base.”
Shanks insisted that having Williams at third base is an asset to him behind the plate.
“I know if the ball is hit to Charles, at the very least he will knock the ball down,” Shanks said.
He said Williams also acts as a fellow field general.
“Charles is a leader because he takes charge and directs the infield. If the ball is hit deep to the outfield, then Charles will tell the fielder where to hit the cut-off man,” Shanks said.
“For me, that speeds up the thought process and makes it one less thing that I have to worry about. It makes my job as the catcher easier.”
Offensively, Williams takes a small-ball approach to hitting.
“My first at-bat, I always try to bunt. Then I use a patient approach to hitting based on what I did the last time at bat,” said Williams. “I try to make the pitcher work.”
He knows he has work to do at the plate.
“I’m going to go to the batting cage to learn to turn on inside pitches and hit the fastball better, and to develop a good batting eye because I need to learn how to wait on the curveball,” he said.
Williams also contributes to McCluer off the field. Along with center fielder Ronnell Willis, shortstop Keith Taylor and Shanks, he helps to keep the team upbeat.
“It is very important that we keep the mood of the team up. If someone messes up, they would have a tendency to mope,” Willis said.
“Some players will mope if the ball is hit to them and they do not make the play. We got to get the players to have some confidence and make that play so we can get out of the inning.”
Coach Don Ingerson said that Williams’ best attributes are his hustle and team spirit.
“Charles has a wonderful attitude because is playing out of position by moving to third base for us. His best position on defense is second base, because it is an easier throw for him and his arm is inconsistent,” said Ingerson.
“Charles is a good athlete who runs well, has great hand-eye coordination and always gives every bit of energy that he has.”
Williams started baseball in 1997 at Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club. This is his first year at McCluer, having transferred last year from Hazelwood East after moving.
“This year, I learned a whole about baseball. I learned how to communicate with the pitcher on how to cover third base on a bunt attempt. I learned the backdoor slide, where you slide to the outer half of the base, then reach back and tag it,” Williams said.
“I like to feel good and to win, and I’m happy when we win. I have played too long to keep losing and to quit.”
