All Summer Long Part VII: Catcher Peter Summerville

All Summer Long Part VII: Catcher Peter Summerville

by: Brandon Rebboah

With countless collegiate summer leagues nationally, players spend their summers playing with teams comprised of college players from around the country. Most of the Broncos are somewhere playing in a summer league. With players all over the country, Broncos are in the Northwoods League, Texas Collegiate Baseball League, the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League, Alaskan Baseball League, Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, California Collegiate League and many more. The "All Summer Long" Series follows the Broncos on their summer experiences. 

SANTA CLARA, Calif.-  Peter Summerville has spent his summer in the Kansas, playing in the Walter Johnson Baseball League for the Valley Center Diamond Dawgs. The young catcher has had success this summer, which he hopes to carry over into the 2012 season.

This summer, the rising-sophomore is hitting .250 with an on-base percentage of .345.  Summerville recently hit a game-winning RBI single against the Wichita Wheat Kings on July 7 to help the Diamond Dawgs advance to the championship series by winning their division with a 24-10 record. Summerville and his summer squad will be able to play in a regional tournament later this week, but will be able to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series.

During his freshman campaign, in 2011, Summerville was a part of a talented group of catchers, allowing him to learn from older players behind the dish, including senior All-WCC Honorable Mention Patrick Terry. Between a talented group of catchers and a bout with mononucleosis, Summerville saw limited action in his rookie season. However, he picked up tips from older catchers and cited the positives of learning to deal with injuries and sickness. Summerville is using this summer to make up for lost time and prepare for the 2012 season.

Summerville is using the time to get valuable at-bats and work on his defense from the catcher position.

"I started out slow at the plate," said Summerville. "I've been making adjustments and have [been hitting better]. More importantly I have just been working hard every day on defense and minor swing adjustments."

He is getting a traditional Mid-west experience by living with a host family. His host parents have two kids, ages 7 and 10.

"It has been a great situation," added Summerville. "I have really enjoyed living here for the last month or so. No other [Broncos] are playing in Kansas, [but] I have made many friends on my team and that has been great."

Summerville, a Washington native, is looking forward to his return to the Mission Campus. He is looking forward to being healthy and having new opportunities during the 2012 season under recently hired head coach Dan O'Brian.

"I can't wait for the fall," said Summerville. "I'm excited to be healthy. I have heard great things about [coach] Dan O'Brien and the staff he is bringing in. I have talked to [Bronco teammates] and we are all extremely excited to get back to work in the fall."

To follow Summerville and his experiences with the Center Diamond Dawgs visit the Walter Johnson Baseball League's website.