Simmons signs with Seminoles

News-Sun staff report

AVON PARK - South Florida Community College pitcher Adam Simmons has committed to Florida State University and will join the Seminole pitching staff in the fall of 2010.

Simmons becomes the sixth Panther baseball player to attend Florida State since 2000, and is the 95th Panther in the last 10 years to move onto a four-year school or professional baseball.

"We are very happy for Adam and his family. When he committed to us I remember him saying that one day he hoped he would get a chance to play at Florida State, it is great that it has worked out this way for him," SFCC head coach Rick Hitt said. "He has grown and improved a great deal since leaving high school. His game has elevated and the strides he has made in velocity and pitch development are a credit to him working at it daily within our program."

Simmons was 6-5 with a 4.13 era in 81 innings pitched as a freshmen.

"Adam statistically got off to a good start last year but was forced to come back on short rest a few times late in our year when we had three starters out," Hitt said. "His numbers probably would have been a bit better than they were if he was on regular rest."

"That is the way it is supposed to work," said Jamey Shouppe pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida State. "I get a call from a coach, who runs an outstanding program and whose opinion you respect, you go see his player play, and he is just what the coach told you he was. Then the young man says yes. It is great when it works out that way. We are very excited to have Adam coming in.'

"We are happy for him, his is a good guy, who works hard," Hitt said. "Adam is one in a long line of former players who have left our program prepared for what lies ahead in college or professionally. It is really amazing to look back now after having 10 teams and see how many guys have gone on from here. It is a credit to the time and effort our players continue to put into daily improvement in all phases."

Simmons, himself, was somewhat taken aback.

"It all happened at our game at Polk last weekend," he said. "I guess I was throwing at 92 into the fourth inning and he said he'd take 92 anytime.

"It's just kind of surreal to know that I'll have a chance to compete on the Division I level at such a great school," he continued. "I have to thank all my coaches, from Dixie Leauge to Coach Rewis at Sebring and Coach Hitt here, for making this opportunity possible. It shows that all the hard work can pay off."