Too often, young players are overlooked when considering the success of a team. Some freshmen and sophomores, however, are making a difference in high school programs that are typically dominated by the upperclassman.

For the past three years, Baseball Factory along with its partner, the National High School Baseball Coaches Association (BCA), has selected a Rookie of the Year in order to recognize the most talented freshman or sophomore high school baseball player in the nation. Nine candidates from across the country were nominated throughout the 2003 season based on their outstanding successes at their respective high schools.

This year, Austin Yount, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was selected. Dubbed “Mr. Consistency” by his high school coach, the sophomore led Chaparall High School to the Arizona 4A State Championship as the starting shortstop. The position was a change for Yount who was the starting third baseman his freshman year.

In 2002 Yount batted .394 and recorded nine doubles and 27 RBIs in Chaparall’s 22-9 season. Yount repeated his exceptional performance in 2003 both in the infield and at the plate to lead the Firebirds to an impressive 32-3 record.

Yount, the nephew of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, will receive an award and is invited to attend a Baseball Factory Showcase event.

Baseball Factory’s Carter Lance (Conway, AR) was one of the nine nominees up for the award. Lance, a right-handed pitcher, is a member of Baseball Factory’s Exclusive Program and recently attended the Junior Olympic Tournament.

Baseball Factory congratulates Yount, Carter and all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck on and off the baseball field.