Acorn Athlete Profile: Travis Scott, senior, Newbury Park
Scott puts on his game face 24-7
By Steve Ames

GAMER-Newbury Park pitcher/short stop Travis Scott is one of the Panthers most highly-regarded players.

Special to the T.O. Acorn

Travis Scott comes to play.

The Newbury Park High senior shows his enthusiasm for baseball whether it’s at practice or it’s game time, whether as a shortstop or a pitcher.

He’s abundantly demonstrated that as a member of the Newbury Park Express, 1999-2000, a wooden bat travel team, then on the Agoura Vipers, 2000-01, a club team coached by Steve Rivetti that went to the AAU nationals in Florida, and the past four years while playing for the Panthers.

"As a little kid you’re crying when you strike out—when you’re 8 years old," he said. "Then when you get in high school you’ve got people watching you. You’re always under pressure. You’ve got scouts out there. You’ve always got to show your best."

This season Scott’s among the county’s leaders with 11 stolen bases and as a pitcher with 26 strikeouts in 28 innings. He anticipates adding to these totals and other statistical categories while doing all he can to give Newbury Park a season to make the campus and community proud.

Head coach Scott Drootin, in his second year guiding the Panthers, said that since he has been coaching high school Scott is one of the best competitors that he’s been associated with.

"He’s a winner," the coach said. "He’s been playing all year. He still hits. He’s done it with a separated shoulder."

Scott, who throws right-handed, dislocated his left shoulder in Newbury Park’s third game of the season against the Loyola Cubs.

"He’s kind of held this team together," Drootin said. "We know as coaches once he gets back healthy, we have some stuff to do. With him and four or five others, we have a chance of winning. He’s done it with his heart. That’s the kind of kid he is. College coaches better take a look at this guy now."

Scott said his college possibilities are still up in the air. "It’s coming slow actually. It’s kind of frustrating," Scott said. "I just keep going out there and playing my game and hopefully one (college) will come to me."

The Panthers are 9-11 overall and 4-5 in the Marmonte League after losing Friday to the Moorpark Musketeers, 3-1. They played the Agoura Chargers yesterday and play a road game tomorrow against the Westlake Warriors at 3:30 p.m.

Scott said he enjoys the challenge of playing shortstop because a lot of balls are hit in his direction and because playing the position demands that he be ready for anything.

"You’ve always got to be prepared to get the hardest and toughest balls out there," he said. "A team puts their faith in the shortstop just because they’re making a lot of the plays on the field."

And as a pitcher, Scott said he understands the role that he plays when he takes the mound.

"It’s not personal," he said. "It’s a team effort. You’ve got to do what’s best for the team, regardless. You’ve got to go out there and be a gamer."

Scott got an edge on the league season by performing well during winter ball, but after he dislocated his shoulder, he went into a hitting slump while trying to work himself into baseball shape.

"I just kept hitting in the cages and came out in the second half and I’m hot—red-hot right now," said Scott, who began the second half of the season with eight hits in 10 at-bats.

But more than anything else, Scott truly relishes the opportunity to try and nab a bag on the base paths.

"Steals," he said, "that’s my favorite part. Once I get on base, there’s no stopping me. I will take first, second and third. You’ve just got to read the pitcher.

"It’s a science," Scott added. "Once you get it down, it’s as easy as walking. You read it and you take off early and hopefully he doesn’t pick."

Even before coming to the batter’s box, he begins reading the pitcher to assist him as a batter and on base as he prepares to steal.

"Not every at-bat starts once you get up to the plate," Scott said. "You have to have your mind set before you even get in the box."

Scott credits his parents, Tim and Carrie Scott, for the opportunity to play baseball. His dad was co-coach of the Express with Paul Johnson.

"My parents have been there for me since day one," he said. "I wouldn’t be anyway close to where I am if not for my parents. They support me in every single thing I do."

He said that he’s pleased with the coaching he’s received from the Panther staff.

"We might not be in first place right now," Scott said, "but we have great team camaraderie and the coaches are doing an awesome job."

Drootin said that the team counts on his senior shortstop/pitcher to play many roles.

"We put so much on him and he tries to do so much for this team. Sometimes it’s not fair for him to have to do all that stuff, but he never complains," the coach said.

"If we just made him the shortstop, if we just made him to be the pitcher, if we just made him to be an outfielder, he’d be the best at that position," Drootin said. "He pitched against two good teams and shut them down."

Scott, who played shortstop, first base, center field and third base in one game this season against the Simi Valley Pioneers, said he likes "the challenge of being on the hill, but I’ll play wherever the coach feels I’ll best benefit the team."