By Staff
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Paul Phillips tosses the ball to a youth during the recent Jay Powell Baseball Camp. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
Feb. 8, 2002
Paul Phillips will be bringing a little extra metal to spring training.
The former West Lauderdale High School product is coming off an injury-plagued 2001 season which saw him undergo surgery on a stress fracture in his elbow.
Now, Phillips is ready to take his rebuilt arm to the Kansas City Royals spring training camp set to open Feb. 25 at Baseball City, Fla.
He will look to his keep spot as a catcher in the Royals organization.
If Phillips' quest comes through, he could be playing this summer with the Royals' AA team in Wichita, Kan. or the AAA team in Omaha, Neb.
Phillips was part of a dynasty at West Lauderdale which brought home four state championships from 1992-95. He was on the receiving end of current pro pitcher Jamie Brown who is now with the Cleveland Indians organization and one-time pro Jeremy Jackson.
Phillips now enjoys coming back to share the game with the Lauderdale County youth.