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July 3, 2009

Scott Dubben is chasing the dream

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

Scott Dubben is on a mission. The Cherry Valley-Springfield graduate and Oneonta State senior is doing all he can to keep his baseball career alive after his college eligibility ends next year.

This summer, Dubben is playing for the Utica Brewers of the Eastern College Baseball League. As of Tuesday, Dubben was hitting .351 in the first 13 games, good for sixth in the four-team league.

``I’m doing everything I can to make it (play professionally),’’ Dubben said Monday evening. ``If I don’t get picked up after my senior season, then I might try and play in the Independent League, which is semi-professional.’’

Dubben plays shortstop for the Brewers, and said in addition to preparing him for his senior year, the league is good way to get noticed by scouts and make professional contacts.

Oneonta High School graduates Kyle Donnelly and Lane and Dan Potter also play in the league.

``I’ve had coaches and scouts tell me they think I can play at the next level, and that gives me a lot of confidence,’’ Dubben said.

``There are a lot of Division II and Division I players in the league, so playing well in this league gives me confidence as well.’’ In addition to doing well at the plate, Dubben has also made a name for himself as an above average shortstop.

Dubben’s Utica coach, Tim Byrnes, said he has been impressive both in the field and at the plate for the Brewers so far this season.

``Scott has been tremendous at short and made some highlight reel-type plays,’’ Byrnes said. ``And he’s been a clutch hitter too. He’s had several hits in key situations for us.’’

Dubben was a pitcher in high school, but hurt his right shoulder before his sophomore season in college and missed the entire year. Last year, he said he injured his hamstring on a play at second base in Florida in March, and was never 100 percent during the season.

Even so, he hit .306 and helped lead the Red Dragons to a 27-12 overall record.

``I’m hoping that after playing in this league and staying healthy I can tear it up next year,’’ Dubben said. ``We’ll have a really good team back and our goal is to get to the College World Series.’’ Dubben is a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sports Management, and said when his playing days do end, he’d like to be a head coach at the college level.

In the meantime, though, he’s not ready to give up on his dream of playing professionally. Dubben’s father, Ed, the baseball coach at CV-S, said Scott has had tryouts with the Houston Astros organization and a scout from the Cincinnati Reds has also been in contact.

He’s also had regular contact with an Independent League team in New Jersey.

``He just needs that stroke of luck to be seen by the right people at the right time,’’ said Ed Dubben.

Added Byrnes: ``Most players at this level dream of getting paid to play, and Scott seems to have as good a shot as anyone.’’

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