Dennison says that playing in minors is a tough way of life By BRENT MIDDLETON T-F Sports Writer Many kids dream of playing major league baseball, but that rarely becomes reality for most. However, 1986 Colonel Crawford graduate Jim Dennison has taken a big step toward making that dream come true. In 1989, Dennison was. offered a contract by the Boston Red Sox after being drafted in the 15th-round in the June airiateur draft. At first, the left-hander decided to return to college, hoping that he might be selected a little higher in the next draft, but the Bosox upped the signing bonus and said that they would pay for the rest of his college education. After that, Dennison decided to sign. Dennison was sent to Winter Haven of the Gulf Coast League, and was ter promoted to the Florida State League, also in Winter Haven. He began the following season in the Florida State League, but was moved up to an extended spring. Shortly thereafter, Dennison made the jump to Elmira, N.Y. of thp New York-Penn League Class A short-season where he compiled a 7-3 mark. This season, he hopes to advance to Lynchburg, a higher Class A team, or even to Class AA New Britain of the Eastern League. , Playing in the minor leagues, Dennison admitted, was a tough way of life, especially for young player, and that that pay was not very good. Theres no stability, Dennison said of the minors. You move from New York to Florida, but you just have to keep having good seasons. That is the only way your going to make it. You go to high school and college and you always dream of making it, Dennison added. But you dont hardly make anything. In your first year, you make a base salary of $850 a month. Dennison also explained that being drafted higher makes a big difference in the salary. If youre a higher-round pick, you get paid more money and they keep moving you, Dennison explained. Lower-round picks get less money and you have to keep having good seasons in order to move up. At Elmira, Dennison says that the team is very well supported by the community, and that an average of about 2,600 fans show up for their games. Elmira was once the Class AA fann club of the Baltimore Orioles. A lot of kids show up for autographs, remarked Dennison. I sign as many as I can before I have to get to the dugout. But, on the days that I pitch, I focus directly on the game. Dennison was a guest at the recent baseball and sports card show at Colonel Crawford High School, sponsored by the Eagles baseball team. This is the first time that Ive done a card show, explained Dennison. Its fun. Dennison also has his own baseball card, a card made for minor league players. Getting that baseball card this year kind of wakes you up to that fact that youre playing baseball, Dennison commented. While at Elmira, Dennison met Trisha Solomon and he said that he hopes to get married next January.
