Some notes on a scorecard

Here are just a few notes on a scorecard for review that may be of local interest.

It seems that former Carson High standout Charley Kerfeld, who went onto a solid Major League career as a relief pitcher, is now making a name for himself as a leading scout who finds hidden gems in the independent leagues.

One can assume that Kerfeld - who managed for nine years in independent league baseball - is now putting his experience to good use as a scout for the Seattle Mariners. His poster boy for his expertise in finding hidden talent in independent league baseball is George Sherrill, who is currently the closer for the Mariners Triple A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers.

Sherrill picked up his eighth save on Tuesday and in 28 games has a 3-1 record with a 2.25 earned run average. He's considered to be on the verge of making the Big Leagues with the Mariners.

There's also no denying that Kerfeld may have taken a liking to Sherrill because he may have seen himself in the prospect. To put it nicely, Kerfeld, a 1981 Carson graduate, would never be mistaken for having a classic build.

Similar to Kerfeld, Sherrill, 27, a left-hander, was an overweight pitcher. But that didn't deter Kerfeld from taking an interest in Sherrill last year when he was playing with Winnipeg in the Northern League.

Kerfeld can also lay claim to beating the New York Yankees to the punch. The Yankees were interested in signing Sherrill as well.

The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres are considered to be the two teams who are the most serious about scouting players from independent leagues, who aren't affiliated with any Major League team and Kerfeld is considered one of the main reasons why.

It's surprising that many Major League teams don't even personally scout independent league players and just rely on statistical information. Many teams don't even scout independent leagues at all.

Kerfeld knows better from first hand knowledge. He knows that in many cases, independent league players are hungrier than many drafted players who have received hugh signing bonuses.

It's also surprising that teams don't pay more attention to the idependent leagues since Anaheim Angels relief pitcher Brendan Donnelly, who played a key role in the Angels winning the 2002 World Series, once played in the independent leagues.

In addition, there's no denying that the Tacoma Rainiers are rumored to be one of the Pacific Coast League teams who could come to Northern Nevada if the area receives a PCL team in 2006 as planned. If that's the case, it's likely that local fans will receive the chance to watch players who Kerfeld has signed.

Vince Inglima, a 2002 Carson High graduate, has signed with the Division II Sonoma State men's basketball program where he will begin play next season as a junior. Inglima has earned all-Coast Conference South second team honors for the past two years at Cabrillo Community College in Aptos, Calif. Inglima averaged 12.2 points a game this past season and also maintained a 3.9 grade point average while at Cabrillo.

Trying to keep up with all the Carson Country baseball players on the professional level has given us in the Nevada Appeal Sports Department a pleasant problem. There are no less than nine Carson Country players on the pro level.

Only eight of the Carson Country players are now featured on the Baseball page in the Appeal. It will take us a few days to make the necessary adjustments to include all nine players on the page.

The only player temporarily not on the page is 2003 Galena High graduate Steve Lerud, who had his pro career delayed last year due to a foot injury. Lerud has been assigned to the Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie League team the Bradenton Pirates, in Florida's Gulf Coast League.

Lerud, a catcher, was off to a strong start in the team's first two games through Tuesday. He was 3-for-9 with a double, home run and two RBI.

Contact Charles Whisnand at cwhisnand@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1214.