Crescent-News.com - Defiance's Tyler Burgoon named to 2007 Louisville Slugger team

By TIM McDONOUGH

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

The accolades keep pouring in for Defiance baseball standout Tyler Burgoon.

Burgoon was named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger All-American High School Baseball Team, joining 31 other standouts from across the country. Burgoon was selected as a multi-position all-American for his pitching and catching prowess.

"It's a great honor, it's very humbling," said Burgoon. "I just really put up the season I wanted to this spring and I had a lot of fun playing. It's a great honor ... it's just really hard to put into words."

A 5-10, 160-pound pitcher/catcher, Burgoon finished the 2007 season with an 11-0 record on the hill for Defiance. In 722/3 innings, Burgoon struck out 122 batters, walked 23 and finished with a 0.67 ERA. At the plate Burgoon batted .420 with 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 20 RBI, 44 runs scored while finishing with 28 stolen bases.

"During the season all I wanted to do was go out there and help the team win," said Burgoon. "I just got on a roll early and that helped me as the season went along. You never think about recognition like this when you're playing, it's really all about doing your best and helping the team win."

Defiance assistant coach Rick Weaver certainly thinks Burgoon is deserving after watching him earn Western Buckeye League Player of the Year honors, Division II District Player of the Year honors and Division II All-Ohio Player of the Year honors.

"Tyler's season was just absolutely amazing when you look at what he did all-around and not just the pitching," stated Weaver. "He was our best catcher and when he wasn't pitching or catching he played third and he was probably our best guy there. If you look at everything, pitching, hitting, baserunning, he was outstanding at all of them.

"What really makes him stand out is that he was one of those guys who was a one-sport athlete, but he made himself so much better through all his hard work," continued Weaver. "We'd have winter workout and he'd stay an hour after we were done to keep working. He's just an unbelievable worker and he just deserves everything he's earned."

Burgoon, who will further his education and baseball career next fall at the University of Michigan, is currently playing American Legion baseball with the Napoleon River Bandits while also helping out at the Defiance baseball camp this week.

"I think until the awards come in, you don't really understand how good Tyler is because you see him every day and maybe take him for granted because he's always so consistent," said Weaver. "When he's gone, that's when you sit back and think to yourself, he was pretty darn good.

"What I think also makes Ty special is how he gives back," added Weaver. "This week he wanted to be here to work camp to give back to the kids with everything he's got going on. "That's just the type of person he is and we all know that whatever he does when he leaves here, he'll be very successful."

"I love coming out here (to camp), I've done it every year I've been in high school and it's nice to just help the kids and try to teach them what I've learned," concluded Burgoon. "It's fun to help get these kids learn the game and give them something from a player's perspective. It's just something I really enjoy doing so I wouldn't have missed it."