Posted by Jay Stancil - Tue, Feb 7, 2006 - [Baseball] - Viewed 446 times
Union College senior pitcher Kevin Smith has his sights set on working on the Hill in Washington, D.C.
However, the right-handed reliever isn’t focused on coming out of the bullpen for the Washington Nationals. Rather, Smith is concentrating on making it to the 'other' Hill in Washington – Capitol Hill.
The Knoxville, Tenn. native took a big step in that direction as he has been selected as the recipient of the Henry Clay Internship from the Kentucky Society of Washington.
"It's extremely exciting. It’s one of the most prestigious honors you can receive," said Smith of receiving the internship. 'It's just going to be an amazing experience."
Union head baseball coach Bart Osborne added, "Kevin is very deserving of this honor. He's held a 4.0 grade-point average for three semesters; he's a good, Christian kid and a very well-rounded kid."
The Kentucky Society of Washington, which was founded in 1912, is an organization that promotes goodwill, fellowship, and amicable relations among Kentuckians in the National Capital Region. The Society was formed to preserve and perpetuate the history and traditions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Among the varied projects and events the Kentucky Society of Washington sponsors is the annual Henry Clay Internship. The internships provide an opportunity for promising students from Kentucky colleges and universities to be placed in an office of a member of the Kentucky congressional delegation or an office of the executive branch. Each intern receives a $3,000 stipend for living expenses in Washington during the six to eight week summer internship.
The program is open to juniors and seniors at Kentucky colleges or universities. They must have a serious interest in pursuing a career in public service for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Candidates must demonstrate superior academic achievements and intellectual development; effective oral and written communications skills; the ability to work well with others; outstanding trustworthiness and sound judgment; and strong initiative.
Smith, who was one of two who were selected for the 2006 internships, will work in the legislative branch of the government and hopes to work with either Senator Mitch McConnell or U.S. Representative Hal Rogers.
Although he was just recently notified of having been picked, Smith has already begun reaping the benefits. On January 30, he was flown to Washington, D.C., and was in the gallery for President George W. Bush’s "State of the Union" address on January 31.
"It was exciting," he said of the experience. "Having every distinguished politician in one place, being there as Supreme Court justice (Samuel) Alito made his first public appearance after being confirmed that morning and (First Lady) Laura Bush to my left … it was just amazing to be in that setting.
"And then just to hear the President’s speech. It's a historical speech, only given once a year."
Smith also enjoyed witnessing the little things the television cameras miss.
"Seeing the democrats and republicans react the different parts of the speech, seeing the little games the politicians play against each up close, things you don’t see on television," he noted.
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS Smith's longing to enter the politic world began back during his high school days at Bearden High in Knoxville, Tenn.
"It all started when in high school when I got to meet President Bush," he said. "From there, I've just been active throughout, doing things locally."
In addition to being president of the Union College Republicans, Smith also serves as the Co-Chair of the Clay County (Ky.) Young Republicans.
"It's really neat you get to meet people through this, beginning at the local level," the Business Administration and Accounting major said.
Upon his arrival in Washington for the "State of the Union' address, Smith contacted a person he knew in the College Republican National Committee office. He was then invited to a rally the CRNC was having that evening where he got to hear and meet Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
BASEBALL AND POLITICS In addition to being a standout in the classroom, Smith is also a pretty, darn good pitcher.
A strikeout artist of sorts, Smith doesn't possess a blazing fastball like notable strikeout kings such as Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. In fact, the 5-foot-11 righty's best pitch is a changeup.
What Smith does have is Greg Maddux-like precision and location.
"Just being able to locate and keeping hitters off their game is the key," Smith said about striking out batters. He also has a fastball and curveball in his repertoire.
In 2005, he was virtually unhittable. Appearing in 16 games with three starts, Smith went 4-0 with a 2.54 earned-run average and struck out 56 batters in 49.2 innings of work as he averaged 10.14 strikeouts per nine innings.
"Kevin can flat pitch," said Osborne. "We only bring him in when the game's on the line, never in a mop-up situation. All his numbers have came in crucial situations. He's done a great job for us in tournaments, in conference games and in mid-week games. He just gets the job done for us."
Slated to be the team’s top arm out of the bullpen, Smith also has the ability to be a starter if need be. While starters and relievers generally have different and varied routines for getting ready to pitch, nothing ever changes for Smith.
"I do things different than most starters. I just do the same routine as if I’m coming out of the bullpen," said Smith, a 2005 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. "I just go warm up later than most, just get up and go, using the same mentality (as a reliever)."
Smith commented that being a pitcher, and in particular a reliever, and working in politics are very similar in a number of ways.
"Just the mentality, the mental toughness of them," he noted. "In both, you're not always going to win, but the key is to keep going after it and putting forth your best effort. Just keep trying and enjoy doing what you’re doing."
UP NEXT For now, Smith is concentrating on wrapping up his senior season on the diamond and in the classroom.
Currently, Union is 1-2 on the young season. Smith has appeared in two games and has a yet to surrender a run in 1.2 innings pitched as he has recorded one save and two strikeouts.
With the diploma he'll receive in May, Smith is hoping the Henry Clay Internship will take him closer to his goal of helping shape our country’s laws and policies.
"Since I’m graduating, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to see where this takes me," he said.
