Trinity's Hall signs with Auburn baseball

Fleming Hall has been a longtime commitment to Auburn baseball. He signed on Wednesday fullfilling that promise. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Trinity senior Fleming Hall committed to play baseball at Auburn University a few weeks after the conclusion of his freshman year.

On Wednesday, a happy Hall finally got to sign his letter of intent to play for the Tigers.

“It’s been a very long time,” Hall admitted. “Obviously, it’s something you dream about each and every day. You can’t wait to make it official, can’t wait to be officially a part of that Auburn team.”

For Hall, and Auburn, it’s been a roller coaster the last three years. Since his commitment, Hall has gone from a dependable shortstop and an even better pitcher to a player limited to designated hitter because of injuries. His present high school team went through three head coaches over that span, while his future college team went from College World Series participant to a .500 club that missed out on the postseason last year.

Hall isn’t fazed. He knows what type of program Auburn coach Butch Thompson has.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “He’s just one of the most amazing guys I’ve ever met. He’s a man of God. I’ve said this before, but not only does he care about developing you as a player, but he cares about developing you as a person and I can’t wait for that.”

Another thing Hall is anxious for is a return to the mound, a place where he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the state as a freshman but has rarely seen since.

“My ninth grade summer, while I was playing travel ball, I started feeling something on the back of my elbow,” he said. “I had a bone spur at the back of my elbow. They had to shave it down. I couldn’t pitch all of my sophomore year, but was ready to come back for my junior year. The first game of the year, something was hurting here (between his elbow and wrist) and it turned out I had a fractured bone. Don’t know what happened.”

Throughout the two-year ordeal his confidence rarely wavered. While he hasn’t been able to pitch, he remained one of the state’s top players through his role as a designated hitter. He couldn’t take the field for the Wildcats, but he remained one of its most dependable leaders -- on and off the field.

“I came up here to help run summer camp and Fleming was here and Fleming spoke up and led the entire time,” said Trinity coach Chad Mansmann, recalling his first impression of Hall. “I was so impressed with him, I went back and asked him, ‘Is that the real you or were you just trying to impress me?’ Because it was quite impressive.

“He’s a very hard worker. He’s a great kid and very respectful off the field. I think he’s a great leader on and off the field as well. He’s got a good heart, has been through a little adversity in his career and is very resilient.”

Hall is grateful the Auburn coaching staff never wavered in its support despite the injuries. He talks of constant text messages from Thompson and his assistants that helped him keep a positive attitude even at times when things didn’t look quite so positive.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It shows that they care about me. I can’t wait to play for the coaches. They’ve been with me through all the troubles. They’ve been great people to go through that with.”

After a year away, he returned to the football field this fall and will play a major role on Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field as the Wildcats take on T.R. Miller. Football comes first, but a day of celebration on Wednesday had him anxious for a return to the mound this spring for the Wildcats’ baseball team.

“Lord willing, I’ll be able to pitch a lot this year,” he said.