Weathersby, Bailey Use Redshirt Year to Improve

While most people just see the players on the field when watching a sporting event, there is another part of the team that is constantly in training. Players who are redshirted do not see action on the field that particular year. They are preparing to help the team in future years. Seven Rebel baseball players were redshirted this year, including freshman Scott Weathersby and junior Tanner Bailey.

Weathersby, a Hattiesburg, Miss., native from Oak Grove High School, is in his first year at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound pitcher experienced a great deal of success in high school. He helped lead Oak Grove to the Mississippi 6A South Championship his senior year. Weathersby went 10-1 with a 1.31 ERA in his last year.

Heading into his first year, Weathersby knew getting in the weight room was crucial. He knows the bigger and stronger he gets, the better he will perform. Weathersby has used this extra year to focus on that aspect of the game. “Coming in I was a little undersized. I think getting redshirted and taking a year to get bigger and stronger will really help me in the long run,” Weathersby said.

Bailey, a junior from Little Rock, Ark., is a menacing figure on the mound at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds. He attended Little Rock Christian Academy before playing two years at Texarkana Community College. Bailey was a two-time All-Conference pitcher during his time at Texarkana. He finished his junior college career with a 15-6 record and 3.50 ERA.

Unfortunately for Bailey, a shoulder injury that required surgery kept him sidelined for 2011. He has rehabbed this season and received a medical redshirt to allow him two more years of eligibility. Bailey has embraced the opportunity to work through his injury at Ole Miss. “It’s been great just being able to work with the trainers and coaches,” said Bailey.

Ole Miss returns to action with a three-game series at home against South Carolina this weekend. Their next series starts the following Thursday against in state rival Mississippi State. The Thursday night game will be televised by ESPNU.

Tanner Bailey - http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/bailey_tanner00.html

Scott Weathersby - http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/weathersby_scott00.html