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East Bay Senior Ready To Play Ball

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

GIBSONTON - Chris Norton has been playing baseball for almost as long as he has been able to walk.

As he prepares for the start of his senior season at East Bay High, he hopes his playing days don't end once he picks up his diploma.

"I've already had a couple of offers to play after high school, and there are supposed to be some scouts coming to watch me play sometime this season," Norton said. "It's very exciting."

Norton plays catcher for the Indians and has been a member of the varsity team each of his four years at East Bay. The team starts its season at home against Sarasota's Riverview High School.

"The way to describe Chris is that he's an absolutely coach's dream," said Norton's coach, Bill Colome. "He's an incredible athlete, an impeccable student with a 5.0 GPA, and he's a team leader."

Norton is one of five seniors on the 20-man active roster.

"I don't even have to do a lot of the work sometimes, since Chris will be the first person to straighten out the other players," Colome said. "I wish I had more like him."

Despite the relative youth on the team, Norton hopes the team can improve on its 6-16 record a season ago.

"We're young, but I really feel like we have some good talent on this team," Norton said. "I'd say our expectations for this season are real high."

The Ruskin resident also played football until high school.

"Baseball's my favorite sport, so, I thought it'd be a good idea to focus on that when I got here" to East Bay, Norton said.

The move paid off.

Norton said a major part of his college plans hinge on what scholarships he's offered.

"My ideal choice would be Florida State, if I got to play ball there," he said. "I've been accepted to eight schools, so the baseball thing is a big part of the decision."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Chris Norton

AGE: 18

SCHOOL: East Bay High School

GRADE: 12th

SPORT: Baseball

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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