DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 1997                  TAG: 9705060257

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: MANTEO                            LENGTH:   60 lines

MANTEO SLUGGER HITS IT BIG WITH AREA FANS, N.C. STATE

In high school baseball circles, Gerald Crawford has become a household name in northeastern North Carolina.

The strong-armed catcher is hitting .453 with 20 RBI. His reputation at the plate precedes him. Crawford, batting third in the order, has been pitched around all season, despite Ted Toler's four homers in the cleanup spot. That is one reason why his power numbers are down this year. After clouting seven homers in 1996, Crawford has just one this season as a senior.

``They're pitching around me more. But I'm thinking too much while I'm up there instead of trying to hit the ball hard,'' he admitted. ``I try not to think about it too much. I'm just trying to keep my average high.''

Crawford has built up his swinging speed and strength, said Kenny Meekins, Manteo head coach.

``I got him to work on the weights when I got here,'' Meekins said. ``It paid off. He went from no homers to seven. Now you're not going to blow it by him.''

The one home run Crawfordhad this year was memorable. The Redskins were in an extra-innings battle with perennial power Greenbrier Christian at Manteo. With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Crawford cranked a ball over the center field fence for the game-winner.

What the area players, coaches, and fans are raving about is Crawford's defensive skills. Some say he's the best catcher these parts have seen in a long time.

``He's got all the tools,'' Meekins said. ``He's big and strong (6 feet 3 inches, 215 pounds) and has a big-time arm. Nobody attempts to run on us. When they do it's because they're taking it on the pitcher. It gives us an advantage because other teams have to bunt to get the man over. People respect him.''

Crawford began catching at the age of 5. His father insisted that playing behind the plate was the quickest way to the big leagues.

``He showed me a lot of the fundamentals of being a good catcher,'' Crawford said. ``I like to be in charge of everything out there.''

This season, Crawford is the team's field general and is calling all the pitches for Manteo. Meekins turned over the reins to Crawford because he said he will need the skill in college.

Manteo pitcher Foye Minton calls Crawford the best in the area.

``He thinks baseball all the time,'' Minton said.

``Baseball is pretty much my life,'' Crawford said as he clicked the TV remote, switching between the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves games.

Baseball will continue to be a part of Crawford's life next fall. He has signed a letter of intent to play at N.C. State University. There is also talk of the impending Major League Baseball draft. The scouts were out earlier in the year, and he's a likely draft choice.

``I would go, depending on how high I was drafted,'' Crawford said. ``Eventually one day I would like to play in the majors. I've thought about it ever since I can remember.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

DREW C. WILSON/The Virginian-Pilot

Manteo catcher Gerald Crawford has attracted college and Major

League Baseball scouts as he has helped the Redskins post a 17-1

record.

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