MADISON- James Clemens sophomore Dante Snodgrass is feverishly prepping for the 2019 high school football season as he’s expected to see plenty of playing time as a running back for the Jets. The two-sport athlete just returned from an experience he called “once in a lifetime” as he participated in the 2019 Hank Aaron Invitational elite baseball training event held in Vero Beach, Fla.

The 5-foot-7, 165-pound speedster plays outfield for the James Clemens baseball team and batted .375 with an on-base percentage of .554 along with 19 stolen bases last school season.

“I’ve never been thrown out attempting to steal a base,” added Snodgrass, 15.

Snodgrass began playing baseball at Madison’s Palmer Park at age five. Growing up through the divisions in youth baseball in Madison, he made several All-Stars teams and caught the eye of a coach who just happens to be a former Major League Baseball player and hitting coach. Jeffrey Hammonds began working with Snodgrass in the eighth grade and continues working with the young talents of Snodgrass today and recommended him for the Hank Aaron Invitational sanctioned by Major League Baseball.

The switch-hitting outfielder flew out of Huntsville and landed at West Palm Beach where he quickly made his way to Historic Dodgertown in nearby Vero Beach. The unique development event featured selected players from all over the country who received elite-level training from former Major League Baseball players and coaches.

“I soaked up every moment I was there and my goal was to come back to Madison as the best player I can be,” said Snodgrass, son of Dante and Jenny Snodgrass. “I feel I’m a better player and person as they taught us more than just the skills of playing baseball. They showed us how to be a better person in every aspects of life.”

Among the day-long activities of skills training and actual games being played each day, the athletes were treated to several guest speakers including Ken Griffey, Jr., a 2016 selection for the Baseball Hall of Fame. The former player spent 22 years in the majors where he was a 13-year All-Star selection and four-time American League homerun leader.

“He spoke to us about several subjects, but he stressed to do well in baseball is only a part of doing well in life,” said Snodgrass. “We even had a question and answer segment with him. It was special.”

Snodgrass was one of 100-plus specially selected young players ages 14-18 for the event named after one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history who played his career with the Braves in both Milwaukee and Atlanta. The event was designed to be smaller version of spring training that major league players go through each year.

After the Invitational, 44 players were selected to participate in the special showcase game held at Sun Trust Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves. Snodgrass was not chosen as those selected are the upper-age division athletes.

For the current A-B student at James Clemens, just to be a part of the elite event was something he will never forget. “I learned how to read catchers’ signs, worked a lot on my stance at the plate and improved my throwing motion,” added Snodgrass. “I play my sophomore season of football and then jump into baseball right after that.”