Alan DeRatt & Kevin Mattison Playing in the South Atlantic League

The 2009 minor league baseball season has been a special one for UNC Asheville fans. That's because two former Bulldog stars have been competing in the South Atlantic League.

Former Bulldog pitcher Alan DeRatt became the first UNC Asheville player to ever perform for the hometown Asheville Tourists this year. DeRatt was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 17th round of the major league draft in 2008. He pitched for Casper (Wy.) last year before being promoted to the Tourists this season.

Former Bulldog center-fielder Kevin Mattison was drafted in the 28th round by the Florida Marlins in 2008. He helped lead the Jamestown Jammers to a playoff berth in 2008 before being promoted to the Greensboro Grasshoppers this year. Both Asheville and Greensboro have been long-time members of the South Atlantic League.

And local fans didn't have to wait long to see DeRatt and Mattison play against each other as Asheville and Greensboro met in the second series of the season at McCormick Field in April. Both performed very well.

Mattison was a constant threat for Greensboro the whole week. He went 4-for-10 in the series with a stolen base, double, triple and four RBI. Mattison opened Thursday's game with a triple down the right-field line that must have brought back a lot of fun memories for UNC Asheville fans watching him run the bases. McCormick Field doesn't give up too many triples, but as soon as the ball went down the right-field line, Bulldog fans knew Kevin would be standing in third with no throw.

DeRatt pitched twice out of the bullpen during the series and slowed down the Greensboro bats each time. On opening night, he helped the home team get back in the game by holding the Grasshoppers scoreless over two innings. He even struck out his old teammate to end a Greensboro threat in the fourth inning.

Both said recently that it was a little weird facing each other.

“I was able to get him out on a 3-2 breaking ball,” DeRatt said. “He's a great hitter, and I didn't get him out much when we scrimmaged at UNC Asheville.”

“It was a curve ball and it was a good pitch,” admitted Mattison. “I'm looking forward to facing him again. We have a little competition facing each other.”

Both are a couple of years away from being in the major leagues, but they say they are having a great time.

“It's a blast to play in the minor leagues and for Asheville,” stated DeRatt. “I'm learning a lot every day.

“The biggest key is you have to forget about failure,” added DeRatt. “You're going to fail in baseball at times, and you just have to move on and be ready the next time you go out.”

DeRatt has been working in the Tourists' bullpen this season. He has a 1-1 record with a 5.15 ERA. DeRatt maintains an excellent strikeout to walk-ratio with 33 strikeouts and just 10 walks in more than 40 innings of work.

Mattison has enjoyed an excellent season for the Grasshoppers. He's hitting .244 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Mattison is second in the South Atlantic League in stolen bases with 33. He's only been caught four times.

“I've really enjoyed playing here at Greensboro,” commented Mattison. “You're constantly learning because you face pitchers that are constantly learning, as well. I'm working a lot on my swing and trying to make it a little shorter.”

Mattison has impressed opponents, as well. Asheville Tourists manager Joe Mikulik was impressed with his performance against the Tourists in April.

“He (Mattison) was impressive in this series,” said Mikulik. “You can't help but be impressed with his speed and the way he plays the game.”

One of the biggest thrills for Mattison this year has been playing home games at Greensboro's New Bridge Bank Park. The Grasshoppers have always has impressive attendance numbers and this year is no exception.

“We played in front of 10,000 fans on July 4th and usually on Friday and Saturday, we have crowds of more than 7,000 or 8,000 people watching us,” said Mattison. “It really gets you excited to play in front of so many people.”

And Bulldog baseball fans have been excited and proud all year long watching two of their former players playing in the South Atlantic League.