Thompson commits to LCC

Waynesboro shortstop and 2007 Valley District batting champion Jay Thompson has committed to play baseball at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, N.C., during the 2008-09 season.
Thompson said that the main reason for his decision to attend Lenoir was his grades. He hopes to have a shot at transferring to a bigger school later in his college career.
“Well, I’d like to make it to the big dance, but that might not happen,” Thompson said. “I just want to see what happens, see if I have a good year.”
Thompson was a key player during the Little Giants’ two runs to the VHSL Group AA semifinals in ’07 and ’08 and was regarded by many as the best pure hitter in the Valley.
“The most frustrating thing for Jay was, he won the batting title his junior year and expected to do it again his senior year,” said former Waynesboro coach Jim Critzer. “He came close, but there wasn’t a team we faced that didn’t pitch around him … that gives credit to Jay because he’s a huge threat. He has a great swing and it’s natural.”
The Lancers are coached by Wilson Memorial graduate Stony Wine and finished second in the NJCAA World Series this season.
“Once I heard they finished second, that made my decision a little easier,” Thompson said.
Critzer coached Thompson on the Waynesboro varsity squad and said that he expects Thompson to play after college.
“Staying focused, that’s going to be the key for Jay,” Critzer said. “If he knows this leads to [Division 1] or the minors and later making it to the dance, if he gets it thorough his head, he will do it.”
In addition to adjusting to the classroom, Thompson said he has to adjust to the level of pitching the college level puts out.
“It should be a lot different,” Thompson said. “About every pitcher you face throws 90 mph”
Over his three years on the varsity team, Thompson was forced not only to keep his skill in check, but also his attitude.
“I’ve been know to have a few attitude problems, but the past year I think I got better,” he said. “It was worse earlier in my career.”
Critzer said that Thompson’s attitude was directed only at himself.
“I told Stony, ‘[Thompson] expects to always hit the ball and make the play,’ ” Critzer said. “His biggest downfall is he gets upset with himself, which affects his game.”
Wine did not return messages left by The News Virginian on Tuesday.