Prior to the 2003 season opener for the Flyers baseball team, Charles Williams Jr. told his coaches, “I want to be a college pitcher and professional baseball player one day.”
With his parents in attendance, Charles “CJ” Williams fanned 12 and no-hit Metro High. The season won/loss record wasn’t good for the flyer’s (5-17), though CJ was the winning pitcher for four of those wins.
With several college coaches in attendance during the Regionals against 27-3 Bethalto Civic Memorial, Charles held the high-flying Eagles to a 4-2 standstill through 6 innings until the Eagles broke through with 3 in the top of the 6th, ending the Flyers’ season with a 7-2 loss in the Alton Regional.
Charles impressed many coaches during his career at East St. Louis. He was rewarded during his senior season by being named to the All-Conference team in the powerful Southwestern Conference and signing a national letter of intent to play at Alabama State.
He later transferred to Jackson State and was named SWAC Picher of the Year in 2007. In 2008 he was 10-4 as staff ace, finishing with a 4.33 ERA. He started in all 16 appearances, recording one complete game and striking out 77 batters in 87.1 innings pitched.
Charles’ mother Maureen Williams was quite a softball player herself in high school and has never missed a game of her son’s within 100 miles from home – and never during the time I coached CJ at East St. Louis Senior High.
His father, the Rev. Charles Williams Sr., also is a very proud parent who always is lurking in the stands or around the diamond somewhere.
Recently, CJ returned home, and his boyhood dream of playing professional baseball someday in front of his family became a reality as he was the starting pitcher for Florence Freedom against the Gateway Grizzles in Sauget, Ill. on June 6.
With about 100 family, friends, former coaches and supporters in attendance, CJ lasted only 2 1/3 innings and took the loss. However, it was a dream come true for a young man who has the work ethic that will only make him better.
“I earned my degree, and I’m blessed. Because of my determination and the support I had from my parents, I can achieve my goals of one day playing in the major leagues,” he told me.
“I also want other kids in East St. Louis to know that they too can play this game. And they should continue to play baseball.”
