BASEBALL: MYERS PARK IN N.C. 4A PLAYOFFS

Mustangs' Wade plays spark plug, too

Senior 2nd baseman provides leadership

CLIFF MEHRTENS

cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Myers Park second baseman Hamlin Wade and his teammates will face Greensboro Grimsley today. (JASON E. MICZEK - Special to the Observer)

No one has to tell Hamlin Wade to take the initiative.

When Myers Park's baseball team got permission for players to pick introductory songs for at-bats, Wade whipped up a sign-up sheet. He went home, cruised through iTunes and compiled the list to be played on the public address speakers.

On the day of the first home game, he organized teammates to wear shirts and ties to school.

"I thought it would be nice for other students to know who was on the team, and it would build a bond," said Wade, a senior second baseman. "It brought attention to not one person, but the team. If someone asked why you were wearing a tie, you could say you're on the baseball team, how about coming to watch us play."

Wade is the spark plug every team needs. He's undersized -- "5-foot-71/2, but say 5-8 in my cleats" -- and bats leadoff. He has hit around .300 all season, leads the Mustangs (20-6) in runs and has solidified the middle infield with his glove and voice.

Coach Bobby Simmons said Wade often is the first to arrive at practice and last to leave.

"He's the hardest worker we've got," Simmons said. "Anything we ask, he'll do. He's our leader, and a good example for everyone else to follow."

Wade has straight "As" his senior year. He chose a college based on academics. The winner was Wake Forest, and he was accepted at Furman, Richmond, Washington & Lee and Davidson.

He might try to walk on to the baseball team or play club ball.

"I'm not the stereotype power guy, the kind who will shock you if you watch them bat once," Wade said. "Ninety percent of the guys my age are taller than me. I've always been that way, and it has motivated me to put in the extra work."

He plans to major in something related to public office.

"I enjoy being a leader," Wade said. "I'm a pleaser; I like to help people accomplish things."

The Mustangs, who begin the N.C. 4A playoffs at 7 p.m. today at Greensboro Grimsley (17-6), have accomplished plenty. They reached the Southwestern 4A tournament final and have the most wins since the 2003 squad reached the state final.

"Everybody on this team has stepped up at times to be a leader," Wade said. "If not vocally, then by example. I don't mind raising my voice, but anybody on our team can go to anyone else. It has helped us all come together."

Wade was a hyped-up jolt of energy at the conference tournament final Monday against Weddington -- eye-black smeared under each eye, neck-to-toe dirt from two head-first slides, and high-fives all around.

"I have confidence in every one of my teammates," he said. "Our shortstop J.D. Ey, he's a basketball guy who is 6-3 or 6-4. If you see us together, it's like the big friendly giant and Tiny Tim."

"But that's who I am, and there is an internal flame there."