A Pair of Sox Heading to Samford
by: Terrence Payne

Basford (left), Miller (right) after a win at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke, Mass.

This past semester, right handed pitcher Charles Basford and catcher/outfielder Brandon Miller were playing for rival junior colleges in the Panhandle Conference (Fla.). But that was last semester. This fall, Basford and Miller will not only be teammates, but they will also be roommates at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.

Basford and Miller have already committed to play for the Bulldogs next fall, but the two have already gotten a head start on being teammates. This summer the two are playing summer ball for the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL).

For Miller, Samford will be his third school. He spent his freshman year at Georgia Tech, but transferred to Northwest Florida State to get more playing time. Miller was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 48^th round this past June, but remained committed to Samford because he feels it will help him reach his goal of being a professional. “I chose Samford because there’s a great coaching staff there and it’s a good opportunity for me to improve my stock in the draft next year,” said Miller.

This spring, Miller hopes to continue his success at Samford. “[I’ll] definitely be a middle of the order guy for them,

Miller at-bat vs. North Adams

hopefully I can lead as an example,” said Miller. Even though Samford will be young team this upcoming season, Miller still believes the Bulldogs can make a run at the Regionals and ultimately Super Regionals.

Miller has spent the entire summer with Holyoke and has been a big part of their line-up. Miller, a 2010 NECBL All-Star selection, leads the Blue Sox with three home runs and is second on the team with 19 RBI. Not only was he helping his team on the field, he was helping them off the field as well.

During the end of June, when Holyoke was in need of pitching, Miller knew who to call.

Basford was in his car when he got the call from his future roommate and teammate. Miller asked him if he was interested in coming up for the rest of the summer to play and Basford jumped at the chance. “[I was] thankful toward [Miller] for thinking about me to come up here,” said Basford.

Basford spent the past two years at Pensacola Junior College in Florida. Last year, he took the summer off to rest his arm, but this summer he’s seen the advantages of playing summer ball. “It helps me interact and get along with new guys I’ve never met before, which I’ll have to do coming up at Samford,” said Basford. “It’s gotten me used to a whole new level of baseball.” So far this season Basford is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA.

Like Miller, the decision to attend Samford was easy for Basford. “I went there and I fell in love with the campus and the program,” said Basford. “It’s a perfect place to play this spring.” The Bulldogs will be losing a few pitchers this year and

Basford in his start vs. Lowell

Tallahassee native hopes to fill a vacant spot in the rotation. “Hopefully I’ll bring a good arm to the starting rotation,” said Basford.

Since Basford arrived in Holyoke in late June, Miller and Basford have gotten a preview of what life will be like next fall. The two are living together with the same host family in nearby Longmeadow, Mass.

The two have gotten along extremely well and have become good friends over the past few weeks together. “He’s a great guy. I couldn’t ask for a better friend and even more a better roommate,” said Basford. The two work-out together in the morning and when they are not playing baseball, they are in the midst of spirited games of ping-pong when they’re at home.

Basford and Miller are brought closer together by their strong  faith. Both agree that God is a big part of their lives and it can even be seen on the field. Before Miller enters the batter’s box for each at-bat, he uses his bat to make the Sign of the Cross in the dirt to the left of the box. Miller even wants to major in Religious Studies this fall.

Luckily for Basford and Miller a frequent guest at Blue Sox games is former baseball player Bernie Carbo. Carbo is famous for his game tying pinch hit three run homer in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series for the Boston Red Sox. His home run set up Carlton Fisk’s iconic game winning home run in the twelfth inning, as Fisk waved the ball fair.

Carbo, who battled drug addictions during and after his playing days, reached sobriety after finding God. He met Miller at the Blue Sox kick-off dinner in early June and throughout the summer Miller and Carbo have created a relationship through their love of God and baseball. “He’s helped me grasp my faith. He’s turned me to God more than anything,” said Miller. Carbo also gives Miller hitting drills and helps him mentally prepare for games.

Once Basford joined the Sox, he too, began a relationship with Carbo. Along with Miller and another Blue Sox teammate, Basford got the opportunity to have breakfast with the 12 year MLB veteran. “I got the chance to go out to breakfast with him,” said Basford. “He’s a great guy. He’s a good advice giver.”

These two summer teammates look forward to continuing their friendship and success on the diamond for Samford this coming year.