A recent Bowie Baysox press release said outfielder Noah Hall?s invitation toWednesday night?s Eastern League All-Star game in Altoona, Pa., was his first career all-star selection.
“Nah, that?s wrong,” Hall said, shaking his head before Monday?s home game. “It?s my third.”
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The quick exchange exemplified the easy-going yet dedicated style of the center fielder. After he bounced around among organizations over the past several years, Hall settled into the Baysox lineup this season after years in the Montreal Expos and Cincinnati Reds organizations. He also had brief stints in the Toronto Blue Jay?s, New York Yankee?s and Chicago White Sox?s farm systems.
Hall?s first two months in Bowie proved rocky, as he amassed only 45 hits through 55 games with his average hovering in the low .200s.
Baysox manager Don Werner said many players new to an organization will try to hard to impress coaches and, consequently, see their play deteriorate.
But Hall said he changed his stance in early June, and the comfort that soon followed was vital to his quick turnaround.
“I?m the kind of hitter that if I?m not comfortable, I?m in trouble,” Hall said. “I tried to do things and to make this happen. But it?s not thinking. It?s hitting.”
Now, Hall?s batting average has jumped to .271 and he leads Bowie hitters in runs scored, doubles and triples.
Along with Hall?s return to comfort and success came a desire to settle his career and play at a higher level.
“What I?ve been doing has been working,” Hall said. “I?m just playing to have a job next year, but I want to make it to the big leagues and I know I can play at that level. I want to come back to this organization. I just want to show them that I can play and hopefully they?ll take a chance on me here and give me a shot.”
Werner said he?s come to rely on Hall hitting in the fifth spot and knows what he is capable of.
“Noah has really stayed consistent with his work ethic and his dedication,” Werner said. “I don?t see anything that?s holding him back from playing at the next level, he just needs the opportunity.”
The Hall File
Age: 28
College: San Jose City College
Did you know? Hall was drafted in the 27th round of the 1995 draft by the Montreal Expos.
