Former Rebel Steps His Game up for Spartans

If there was one player from the 2011 Howell Rebels baseball team that was ready for practically anything, that player was second basemen Brian Blood.

A team captain, and an all-around leader for the Rebels, Blood has proven that faith right this summer, becoming the youngest player on the roster for the Howell Spartans in the Jersey Shore Baseball League.

Blood, who batted second in the everyday lineup for the Rebels in 2011 says he knows there is going to be a change going forward in his career.

"Things are going to be different, and I'm going to have a different role, obviously," he said, "I just graduated high school. A lot of these pitchers have pitched in college or are currently pitching in college."

Blood learned how tough the Jersey Shore Baseball League was, going hitless in his first 11 at-bats before notching a single in his third inning at-bat Saturday afternoon.

In his path to the Spartans, Blood wasn't planning on playing in such a competetive league directly out of high school, but it turned out to be for the best.

"I was actually going to play in a league with a couple of my high school teammates," he said, "But that was taking a while to get started and my brother is on this team so he helped me out and it's been a good experience."

Brian's brother, Joe Blood, is one of the veteran leaders of the Spartans staff.

Unlike high school, Blood has not had the luxury of being in the lineup everyday, or even having a set position. Still, he says that will most likely benefit him moving forward.

"I know things are going to change and that it isn't high school anymore," he said, "I'm going to have a different role in college than I did in high school and I need to learn how to play that role."

As a leader of the Rebels, Blood is excited to be representing the town in which he and his family are so well known and loved.

"Going through high school and playing with all of those guys that I met was just great," the York College-bound Blood said, "I think it's awesome to be able to represent Howell at this level."

Blood played left field for the duration of the second game of a double header in a 7-2 loss to East Coast Connection, Saturday afternoon. He went 1-2 with a single and a walk.