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Sumner signs pro contract

Alex Sumner

MITCHELL, S.D. – All young athletes dream of going pro at some point in their athletic careers.

For Alex Sumner, that dream finally came true.

Sumner, a 2009 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University and former Tiger baseball player, signed a professional baseball contract with the Golden Baseball League, an independent baseball league. Sumner, who played shortstop and second base for the Tigers, plays for the St. George Roadrunners. His contract started Aug. 4 and runs through the end of the season, which is in early September.

This past spring, Sumner, who helped coach the DWU baseball team during the 2010 season and also coached pee wee hockey in Mitchell, went to a showcase in Houston, Texas, where he was picked up by the New York State League.

The NYSL is a pro development league where players go to try and get signed. Sumner batted .462 and made no errors at shortstop and was noticed by the Roadrunners. St. George has been using Sumner as a utility infielder and he has played mostly shortstop and some second base.

Sumner has been with the team for 10 games so far and has seen playing time in five. In those five games, he has three hits, including a double, and a .214 batting average. Sumner had two hits in an Aug. 20 game against the Victoria Seals and a stolen base Aug. 16 against the league-leading Calgary Vipers.

There are 10 teams in the Golden Baseball League, which is made up of two divisions. The Roadrunners are in the league’s North Division, and are currently 7-10.

The GBL is home to many baseball players who, at one time, played in the major leagues. Currently, Mark Prior, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher, is a part of the league.

Sumner and the Roadrunners end the season with a five-game series against the Chico Outlaws in Chico, Calif., and a three-game series against the Tucson Toros in Tucson, Ariz.