Golden a hit with local youth

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SILER CITY — The Factory in Siler City hosted a special “Hit Night with Casey Golden” for area youths to meet the Siler City native and former Jordan-Matthews baseball standout, who currently plays in the Colorado Rockies organization.

Golden, primarily a shortstop in his playing days at J-M from 2009-2013, was a four-year All-Conference performer and All-State selection his senior year before attending UNC-Wilmington, where he played outfield and achieved numerous awards prior to finishing his collegiate career ranked in UNC-W’s top-10 in 10 different categories.

Besides being named to All-Conference, All-State and All East Region teams as well as being chosen the Colonial Athletic Conference Player of the Year in his final season with the Seahawks (2017), Golden started 57 games his senior year and led UNC-W with 21 home runs, which tied the school’s single-season record, in addition to concluding his career by tying the school record of 40 round-trippers.

After being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 20th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, Golden began his minor league career with Grand Junction (CO), where he hit 20 homers, the most in the Pioneer League that season and the most in Grand Junction history.

Last year he played for the Asheville (NC) Tourists and was named the South Atlantic League MVP after walloping 32 home runs. His two-year total of 54 homers is the most in the entire Rockies’ organization during that period at any level.

Wanting to give something back to the community where he grew up before heading off to Arizona on Sunday for the start of spring training, Golden teamed up with fellow instructors Barry Culberson and Alec Allred on Friday night to offer some hitting and fielding tips to area youngsters looking to improve their baseball skills.

Following a short period of warm-up exercises, participants were shown the proper technique for fielding ground balls by squaring up on the ball and bringing it to their chest before making a throw.

Next came a demonstration on how to properly catch fly balls by aligning the glove to the side of the face, followed by a drill that stressed the proper way to dive for a ball.

Attention was then centered on the proper stance to take in the batter’s box. The importance of balance and how it starts with the correct placement of the feet was identified, reminding those in attendance that lower body strength is a key to hitting and being able to finish your swing. Everyone then had an opportunity to practice what they had learned by taking multiple swings in the batting cage.

Before the event concluded Golden shared some insights to being a better ball player. He mentioned the importance of learning how to play every position on the field while stating not to be overly concerned regarding what position a player has in the batting order because every spot up and down the lineup is significant.

Golden told the attendees that every time they step on the playing field do it with confidence, be aggressive, believe in yourself and above all have fun.

Golden then made himself available to sign autographs and pose for pictures while pizza and drinks were enjoyed by all prior to heading home.