Carmel senior catcher Cooper Johnson is returning home at least twice in August.
Sort of.
Born in Los Angeles, Johnson spent nearly a week practicing and competing against some of the best players in the country for the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, California.
The tournament consisted of eight teams representing eight regions nationwide, with Johnson playing for the Chicago White Sox. Each team was built by an MLB team, and Johnson was invited by White Sox scout Clay Overcash via phone.
The 17-year-old Johnson, a catcher, said he played in five games, starting three. The final game was played on Sunday, Aug. 9.
“It was really nice because I got to see a lot of faces that I met throughout the summer, and reconnect with some old players I met,” Johnson said. “I feel I held my own and did well, especially considering the competition.
“Early on, I struggled at the bat, but defensively I played like I usually do, and that’s my strong point. These events really humble you. It allows you to realize that there are a lot of really good players.”
Johnson said his favorite experience of the weeklong Area Codes Games was the time spent with children from the Jessie Rees Foundation, which provides support for children fighting cancer.
“I really enjoyed playing with the kids at the Jessie Rees Foundation,” he said. “We played catch, video games and hung out with them.”
Johnson, a Mississippi recruit, is scheduled to play in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Aug. 15.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Johnson, who batted .382 with a .479 on-base percentage and 33 RBI during his junior season for Carmel, is scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 16, for the final stage of tryouts for Team USA’s 18U squad. Johnson will spend another week in the Los Angeles area attempting to make the 20-man roster, which will compete in Taiwan and Japan later this month.
Former Carmel baseball coach Dann Giesey, who resigned this summer, coached Johnson on the varsity the past two seasons. Giesey, now an assistant for Carmel’s softball team, said he never doubted Johnson’s work ethic after noticing a marked improvement early in his career.
“Cooper came in as a little kid his freshman year, but he worked his butt off between his freshman and sophomore year, and when he came in for his sophomore year, he was so unrecognizable in physical stature, his athleticism and physical strength,” Giesey said. “He put so much time into getting physically stronger, that when he came in sophomore year, he was a totally different player.
“He really deserves all the credit for the time he put into his game. He’s a fierce competitor and tough kid. He has a bright future ahead of him. I have no doubt he will continue to raise his game.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @bobnarang
