If you’re into sports and live in DeKalb County, chances are you’ve heard the success story of Steven Jennings. Jennings was a pitcher for the Tigers who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates after high school and is currently pitching in the “bigs.”
Jennings’ story is a dream-come true for a young athlete with big talent, but what about if you don’t get the immediate shot at the big time or even a scholarship to play ball in college … is there hope for your sports career?
Shane Salley, a 2011 DCHS graduate and baseball player, took another route but enjoys playing baseball professionally today which shows you there is another way.
“I moved to Smithville from Manchester as a sophomore where I played baseball and football,” Salley said. “Our team made two state tournament appearances and it was the first time ever DeKalb County baseball had ever made it to a state tournament.”
Salley continued playing baseball at Roane State Community College for two years and then finished playing at Milligan College where he graduated with a degree in exercise science.
“I was all-conference as an outfielder at both schools but unfortunately I didn’t catch any professional attention in the states,” said Salley.
Salley’s best friend and former teammate was playing professional ball in Australia and told him about the opportunity since he had gone undrafted as well.
“I was a little skeptical at first,” Salley said. “I had never heard about baseball overseas before.”
Now, he has just finished his first professional season overseas in Sweden, winning the Swedish title on his team, the Solvesborg Firehawks, and was ranked as one of the top 30 players in Europe to boot.
“Of course we had two players recently drafted from DeKalb County,” Salley said. “Including a friend and former teammate of mine, Cody Puckett (who was drafted by the Oakland A’s).
“I just thought it would be nice to let the folks from my hometown know what I’ve been up to,” Salley concluded.
So, where there’s a will, there’s often a way to pursue your dreams if you’re not afraid to follow them.
“I want to give special thanks to my parents for their support and my dad for pushing me so hard. It got me where I am,” he said.
