Winpigler earns extra attention

Tuscarora High, Frederick American Legion player stands out in all-star game

by John Harris III | Staff Writer

Tom Fedor/The Gazette

Frederick FSK Post 11's C.J. Winpigler went 3-for-3 during Saturday's Crab Claw Classic High School All-Star game at Joe Cannon Stadium in Anne Arundel County. Winpigler hit .422 during the legion season for Post 11.

As the temperature rose this spring and summer, C.J. Winpigler's game went right along with it.

The rising senior at Tuscarora High, who made The Gazette's Honorable Mention list as a skilled defensive catcher, saw his overall game catch fire once the Senior American Legion season began in late May.

His overall performance for Frederick FSK Post 11 elevated at such a rapid rate, that he tried out and was selected for Saturday's Crab Claw Classic High School All-Star baseball game for underclassmen.

Following a stellar day-long tryout session, Winpigler was notified at 10:30 p.m. on Friday that he would be placed on the South Gold Claws roster.

After a bout of nerves, Winpigler took to the field at Joe Cannon Stadium in Anne Arundel County, and went 3-for-3, while totaling two RBIs and a run scored. While his team dropped a 12-10 decision to the North Black Claws, the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder served notice to the college scouts in the stands.

The South squad consisted of players from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina, while the North included players from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

"I was nervous in the beginning, but once I got that first hit, all of the nerves went away," Winpigler said. "I was so excited when my mother called me and told me I made the team.

"[The Crab Claw officials] called our house first, then my mom called me while we were on our way home from the tryouts. I was a little worried at the time, but once she called and told me, I got very excited."

Winpigler was the only player out of six from Frederick County that tried out for the all-star game. He went through a battery of drills during the tryout session.

"They didn't even have my name on the list, I was basically a walk-on," Winpigler said. "I had to go to the pitching-catching station and throw 15-20 pitches, and they had to test the catchers ‘pop-up' time, the time it takes to [receive] a pitch, and [rise] up to throw the ball to second base. They said I had the quickest pop-up time, I think I heard a coach say that it took 2.2 seconds. After those stations, they also made us run the 50-yard dash. I didn't get my time for that, but I guess it was good enough [to be chosen].

Following a 2010 season that featured a .280 batting average for a Titans' squad that made the Class 3A West Region semifinals, Winpigler posted eye-catching statistics during the American Legion season. As the youngest player on the squad, the 17-year-old registered team-leading stats in batting average (.422) home runs (six) RBIs (44) and base hits (57). He also went 4-2 on the mound for Post 11, who advanced to the Western District semifinals before falling to Funkstown Post 211.

"As the youngest guy on the team, I knew that if I didn't perform, I would be on the bench," Winpigler said. "I wanted to show that I could play with the big kids, so I needed to show them what I could do.

"I think interest in C.J. will grow after that performance [at the Crab Claw]," said Post 11 head coach Tom Long. "He can play several positions, he's a great catcher, and an outstanding pitcher who can also play third base. I see great things for him for next year."

Montgomery College Germantown has been in constant contact with Winpigler. Other schools showing interest include NCAA Division III Catholic University of Washington D.C., Division II West Virginia State, and Division I Lafayette College (Pa.).

"I definitely want to play baseball in college, and see where it takes me after that," Winpigler said. "I would love to play professionally, or even amateur baseball. I also want to coach. If I have to start at the little league level and work my way up, that's fine. I just want to play the game as long as I can, and I want to stay involved as a coach as well. I just love being on the baseball field."

Tuscarora head coach Jason Smith expects Winpigler to overcome the mediocre offensive season he had in the spring.

"He's a heck of a catcher, and has a lot of potential overall," Smith said. "Hitting-wise, he ran into a slump during the season, but he was still a great situational hitter, very patient. [As a catcher] he threw out over 90 percent of the runners who tried to steal on him this year [at Tuscarora], he is definitely a force behind the plate. We'll also have him pitching as well, but he is definitely one of the best catchers in the area."