One of the area's top closers, Kell senior Chris Base hopes to lead the Longhorns to the playoffs and a possible state championship. Base wants to play college ball and is considering Jacksonville State, Alabama, Young Harris and South Georgia. Base recently talked about baseball with staff writer Phillip Giltman.

Q: Do you ever get bored sitting in the bullpen?

A: Sometimes, but it's not that big of a deal. I keep myself busy. I talk to the catchers and pitchers about the game. I'm a competitor, so we discuss how we will approach certain hitters. It's not really boredom, it's more just being anxious to get in and play.

Q: Should opening day be a national holiday?

A: Yeah. Why not? Most people declare it our national pastime, so why not make it a national holiday?

Q: Some say there is always something to learn from baseball. Do you agree?

A: Definitely. I play football as well, and my teammates say they couldn't play baseball because they couldn't take their anger out and hit people. You can't plow into someone in baseball. You can throw at them, but it's not the same thing. You have to have self-control.

Q: If you could change one rule about high school baseball, what would it be?

A: I think there should be contact at home plate. Runners shouldn't have to slide. We see it in the pros, and I'm sure a lot of players would like to, especially when you play teams in our region, where the games can get real intense.

Q: What is your out pitch?

A: I don't know if I want to tell you that, just in case my opponent is reading this, but probably my two-seam fastball. It runs away from left-handers and in on right-handers. It's hard to control because it has a lot of movement. I have a nice change-up that sinks and a decent curveball. I just started throwing a split-finger, and I've had success controlling it.

Q: What was your best play ever?

A: Last year against Roswell we went nine innings, and in the eighth they had [runners on] first and second with no one out. I got out of it, only giving up one run. We came up in the top half and scored one. In the bottom of the ninth, they had the bases loaded with no one out. I got a ground ball, threw it home, and the catcher threw it to first for the double play. I then struck out their [next] batter, who was one of their best hitters, to win the game.

Q: Which MLB stadium would you most like to visit?

A: Yankee Stadium. Derek Jeter is my favorite player, and I would like to see him play. I hope to go there this summer before they tear it down. There is so much history. It would be cool to take a tour and see batting practice before a game.