Mercer to keep playing

As long as Carson High graduate Joe Mercer is given the chance to play professional baseball, he's going to take it.

Mercer, a 2000 CHS graduate, will continue his pro career at least one more year when he plays this season with the Florence Freedom, an independent team in the Frontier League. "They contacted me a couple of weeks ago and sent me a contract," Mercer said.

Mercer will report to Florence on May 5, with the season beginning in the middle of May. Until then, he'll continue to serve as an assistant coach at Damonte Ranch.

"They're all good kids," said Mercer about his experience at Damonte. "They all listen. They all play hard. You couldn't ask for more."

After finishing his college career at the University of Nevada last season in which he was named to the all-Western Athletic Conference second team after hitting .313, Mercer wasn't picked up professionally until August by the San Angelo Colts of the independent Central League. Mercer hit over .300 during his short stint with the Colts.

Just as he did with the Colts, Mercer should continue to play third and catch for Florence and may play first as well. "As long as I get to play I'm fine with it," said Mercer about the position he would play.

Nevada has served as somewhat of a pipeline to Florence as other Wolf Pack players have played there as well.

Mercer said he couldn't ask for anything more than to be able to to continue to play.

"I want to play a little more before I get a real job," he said. Mercer said he could keep playing "through this year, maybe next year."

It doesn't look like that Mercer will ever be signed by a Major League team, but he isn't ruling anything out.

"You always hope you get that chance, but as long as you get to play baseball, you really can't complain," said Mercer, who is a left-handed hitter with power. Mercer was once a draft and follow pick of the San Francisco Giants after his freshman year at American River Community College in California in 2001.

He will earn his degree in December. "Ultimately I want to teach and coach," he said. "I just want to stay somewhere in the game."