2013 Season in Review, Part 12. Josh Bell, West Virginia Power

I spotted him hitting in the batting cage hours before a playoff game atHagerstown September 6th, and noted instantly from the way he conductedhimself around the cage and stroked the ball inside, I’d need some posedshots of him that day.This young Texan turned out to be special in other ways too. He went to aJesuit High School (Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, TX) so youknow he got an outstanding education and learned a few values that wouldsustain him in a very secular baseball environment.Signing with the Pirates for 5 million dollars in August, 2011, he turneddown the dream of every young Texas youth, a full ride scholarship to playbaseball at the University of Texas (Austin).And after a serious partial meniscus tear the first month of the 2012season at West Virginia Power, he came back successfully the followingseason to hit 279 BA in 459 AB, 75 RS, 37 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, and drive in 76RBI to lead his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates Low Class A West VirginiaPower affiliate to SALLY League championship playoffs.Seeing Josh swinging a bat in the batting cage that hot summer day, workingwith him on the photo shoot before the game, and focusing on his all outhustle, and timely bat in the first playoff game at Hagerstown thatSeptember day was another highlight for me during the 2013