Area hurler By Mark Naegele News Journal MANSFIELD - Jim Dennison had to take a year off from baseball. Now he hopes that helps him spend many more with the Boston Red Sox. Dennison, a left-handed pitcher out of Colonel Crawford High School, was selected by the Red Sox in the 15th round of the amateur baseball draft two weeks ago. He since has signed a contract and is working out in Winter Haven, Fla., awaiting his assignment. Dennison was red-shirted one year after transferring from Youngstown State to Jacksonville State in Alabama following his freshman year. During that time, he regained the confidence he lost while at YSU. "I went to Youngstown State for a year and I didn't joins Boston like the program," Dennison said. "I didn't like the way I was handled. I was made their No. 2 pitcher, and I don't think I was ready for it. I lost a lot of confidence. "I went to a (Cincinnati Reds) tryout camp and told the camp director (Gene Bennett) that I was unhappy and I wasn't going back. A week later, I got a call from Jacksonville State.' Dennison said it was not until he hooked up with Jacksonville coach Rudy Abbott that the 6-3, 200-pounder regained his confidence. "He helped me out tremendously," said Dennison, who threw a no-hitter against Troy State with Red Sox scouts in attendance. "Coach Abbott brought me along slowly. He encouraged me. He brought about the change in me." See Dennison - Page 3-B
