Jason Jeffery Brings Versatility and
Swagger to Street Kids in 2009
Swagger to Street Kids in 2009
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South Bend, IN 11-23-08
One day after bringing in veteran infielder Mark Hershberger, the Street Kids/Suburban South softball
team announced that free agent infielder Jason Jeffery has committed to the team for the 2009 season.
"Just like Hersh said yesterday, this was not an easy decision," the multi-talented player said. "I loved
playing with my friends on Team Worth and I owe them for the opportunity they gave me, but I felt it was
time for a change. I really enjoy what the Street Kids team is doing to build for a strong 2009 season and I
just want to do my part."
Jeffery attended the Street Kids awards banquet last weekend and made a point to
let SKS director TJ Jorgensen know how much he respects what the team does off
the field.
"He basically came up to me during the night and said that the things we do off the
field mean so much to other players, even if those players won't admit it," Jorgensen
said. "It meant a lot to me for him to say that."
Jeffery admitted that he made a comment a few years ago during a tournament in which the Kids were
wearing their pink jerseys supporting breast cancer awareness, and it bothered him for a long time.
"My mother has been through several problems in her life and when I made the comment it was in the
middle of a fiercely competitive game," he added. "Afterwards I realized what the pink shirts were for and
I felt pretty rotten, because thats not the kind of person I am. I respect this team tremendously and one of
the top reasons I wanted to come to this team is because of the things they do with Street Kids Care. I feel
that by doing that I am in someway showing my support for my mother as well, in a different kind of way."
On Saturday, the SKS team announced Mark Hershberger will be joining the team for 2009, leaving the
team he enjoyed playing with in 2008 in Team Worth. Did the decision for Hershberger to come make a
difference in Jeffery's decision?
"I think it may have played a part," Jorgensen stated. "But just like Mark, Jay is his own man and makes
his own decision. He is one of the most respectful people I have met and one of the most impressive things
he told me during our talks was that before he committed he wanted to make sure the entire team was
comfortable with him. That's a noble thing to say."
Jeffey has the ability to play every position on the diamond, a rare feat in sports today. Jorgensen said he is
not exactly sure the position Jeffery will play right away, but said that sort of thing is easy to work out.
"When you get a player of Jay's caliber, you worry about the small things later," Jorgensen concluded. "I
know that we have the type of team that guys can play almost anywhere."
One day after bringing in veteran infielder Mark Hershberger, the Street Kids/Suburban South softball
team announced that free agent infielder Jason Jeffery has committed to the team for the 2009 season.
"Just like Hersh said yesterday, this was not an easy decision," the multi-talented player said. "I loved
playing with my friends on Team Worth and I owe them for the opportunity they gave me, but I felt it was
time for a change. I really enjoy what the Street Kids team is doing to build for a strong 2009 season and I
just want to do my part."
Jeffery attended the Street Kids awards banquet last weekend and made a point to
let SKS director TJ Jorgensen know how much he respects what the team does off
the field.
"He basically came up to me during the night and said that the things we do off the
field mean so much to other players, even if those players won't admit it," Jorgensen
said. "It meant a lot to me for him to say that."
Jeffery admitted that he made a comment a few years ago during a tournament in which the Kids were
wearing their pink jerseys supporting breast cancer awareness, and it bothered him for a long time.
"My mother has been through several problems in her life and when I made the comment it was in the
middle of a fiercely competitive game," he added. "Afterwards I realized what the pink shirts were for and
I felt pretty rotten, because thats not the kind of person I am. I respect this team tremendously and one of
the top reasons I wanted to come to this team is because of the things they do with Street Kids Care. I feel
that by doing that I am in someway showing my support for my mother as well, in a different kind of way."
On Saturday, the SKS team announced Mark Hershberger will be joining the team for 2009, leaving the
team he enjoyed playing with in 2008 in Team Worth. Did the decision for Hershberger to come make a
difference in Jeffery's decision?
"I think it may have played a part," Jorgensen stated. "But just like Mark, Jay is his own man and makes
his own decision. He is one of the most respectful people I have met and one of the most impressive things
he told me during our talks was that before he committed he wanted to make sure the entire team was
comfortable with him. That's a noble thing to say."
Jeffey has the ability to play every position on the diamond, a rare feat in sports today. Jorgensen said he is
not exactly sure the position Jeffery will play right away, but said that sort of thing is easy to work out.
"When you get a player of Jay's caliber, you worry about the small things later," Jorgensen concluded. "I
know that we have the type of team that guys can play almost anywhere."
