Down Off The Hill To Catch A Dream Ex-Pitcher Hill Has Been Indians’ Top Catcher

One joke going around Seafirst Stadium is that catcher Jeremy Hill should have become a pitcher.

You know: “Now taking the hill, Hill.”

In truth, Hill is less than two years removed from the hill. During his senior year at W.T. White High in Dallas, he spent half of his time on the mound. Hill was a part-time catcher for the school that also produced Trey Beamon of San Diego’s organization and Calvin Murray of San Francisco’s.

“I played a little bit in the outfield, a little bit at third base,” said Hill, the Spokane Indians’ most-used catcher this year. “And I pitched a lot.”

But the Kansas City Royals didn’t draft Hill so he could dabble at throwing curveballs or fielding hot grounders. They used their fifth selection in last year’s amateur draft on a catcher.

Hill was prepared to attend Blinn (Texas) Junior College when the Royals came calling. He took all of 20 minutes or so to agree to a contract.

“I felt like it was the right thing to do, to go into professional ball,” Hill said. “Growing up, it had always been my dream.”

Hill’s second professional team, Spokane, returns to town today to begin an eight-game Northwest League homestand, a season high. The first three games are against Yakima.

Spokane (35-24) has 17 games to attempt to catch first-place Boise (39-20) in the North Division.

Hill, who turned 20 earlier this month, began his pro career with the Royals’ rookie league team in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Gulf Coast experience has been recounted by many players as nightmarish. Games begin at noon, under the 100-degree heat, with few fans in attendance. Wooden bats confound hitters accustomed to the aluminum bats used in high school and college. Home is a long way off.

“Down there, all you can tell yourself is to keep plugging away,” said Hill, who batted .178 in 31 games.

Spokane opened the season with three catchers on its roster, four counting infielder/ catcher Dave Willis, who has hit close to .400 for August.

Hill drew the opening-day assignment and has been the main guy throughout. Dave Ullery was moved up to the Midwest League to fill a hole; first-year pro Carlos Pagan spells Hill.

“We help each other out, do drills together,” Hill said of Pagan. “He lets me know when I’m doing something wrong, and I let him know when he needs to work on something.”

Hill said he picked up valuable pointers when Brian Poldberg, the Royals’ roving catching instructor, recently visited the club for 10 days. On a day-to-day basis, Indians catchers learn from all three Spokane coaches.

Hill has a large extended family in Dallas, including 16- and 13-year-old sisters. Some family members saw him play in Florida last year, but none expects to make it to Spokane. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos