Justin Williams North Central Year: Senior Sport: Baseball Position: Center Field

One year ago, Justin Williams was a first baseman playing in near obscurity.

Now he’s a center fielder with hopes of playing college baseball and beyond.

“Last summer, my (American) Legion coach said you might want to move to the outfield because you could get more looks (from scouts) because of your speed,” Williams said.

So Williams became a left fielder and started attracting more scouts. The first was Joe Carp of the Chicago White Sox, but at least three other major league scouts have given him a look.

One did so by accident. Williams was invited to play at the Doyle Falls Classic in Peoria, Ariz., last November. A scout for the Kansas City Royals was managing the Washington state team.

“He didn’t even know who I was,” Williams said.

Not for long, however, because Williams played every game in Peoria and was the leadoff hitter.

Williams bats No. 3 for NC, providing occasional punch (three home runs and three triples this year) and consistent hitting. During a pair of Greater Spokane League wins last week, Williams homered against Shadle Park, then doubled and tripled in runs during an upset of first-place Ferris.

“I don’t have an error (in the outfield) yet, but I hope (saying so) doesn’t jinx me,” Williams said.

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