Central tabs Hemmings as new baseball coach

By Tom Peavy

Published: May 30, 2008

PHENIX CITY — Central was in need of a new baseball coach.

And on Friday, the Red Devils got one with a deep baseball pedigree who they hope will get the program back to a state-championship level.

Former Andrew College head coach Scot Hemmings was named Central’s third head coach in the past four years — taking over for Jason Stamp who coached two years after replacing 24-year veteran Ron Nelson.

Stamp elected to step down as head coach to focus on his position as Central’s assistant principal.

“I’m very excited to be a part of this community and Central High School — no doubt about it,” Hemmings said. “It’s going to be a challenge because you have some great teams around here like Auburn, Opelika, Smiths Station and now Russell County moving into the Region.

“We’re hoping to be competitive, and once we learn to be competitive then we can learn how to win. It’ll be a huge challenge, and it certainly won’t be an easy ride.”

Hemmings brings with him a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience.

After graduating from Columbus (Ga.) High in 1995, he was drafted in the 61st round of the amateur draft by the New York Yankees.

However, he elected to play college baseball and went to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga.

At ABAC, Hemmings broke the school record for stolen bases as a freshman and sophomore, helping him earn a scholarship from Columbus State.

But the pros came calling again, as the San Diego Padres drafted Hemmings in the 18th round of the 1997 draft.

From there, Hemmings set out on a pro career which saw him reach the AAA level in Las Vegas.

A host of injuries, though, derailed his pro hopes, and he left the game following a spring training stint with the Detroit Tigers in 1999.

After stints as an assistant coach, in 2005 Hemmings became the head coach at Andrews College in Cuthbert, Ga. He also served as the school’s athletic director for the past two years.

“I was fortunate enough to play four years of pro ball and took over a program at Andrews that had only won 30 games in three years combined,” Hemmings said. “In four years, we were able to win 113 games at a school that’s been very tough to win at.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have some great baseball experiences and played under some great coaches.”

One of those coaches Hemmings played under has proved to be his biggest influence.

At Columbus High, Hemmings was a two-time All Bi-City and All-State performer under one of the nation’s most renowned high school baseball minds — Bobby Howard.

With the Blue Devils, Hemmings won three state titles, and he says the experiences playing under Howard have stayed with him through the years.

“Ninety percent of what we work on and what we do comes from what I learned at Columbus High,” Hemmings said. “I still call (Howard) for advice, and call him to just run things past him.

“He’s been a big part of my coaching and playing career.”

Hemmings will jump right into his new position with the Red Devils as the team begins summer workouts Monday.

| 737-2568