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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Jon Fuller, Building Confidence - 2244

Jon Fuller knows the importance building confidence is to a baseball player. He spent 12 years working to build his own confidence as a pro.

He's since moved on, working to build confidence of young players as a baseball instructor in his home state of Washington.

“So we always try to instill that, whether it's in individual workouts or we're working with teams," Fuller told The Kitsap Sun in 2011. "Confidence is a big part and believing you can get to that, whatever level you're at, you get to that next level."

Fuller's career in baseball began in 1988, taken by the Reds in the 38th round, out of Bellevue Community College in Washington.

Fuller started at rookie Billings, hitting .281 over 31 games. The catcher moved to single-A Greensboro for 1989, the first of four seasons Fuller spent at single-A.

Fuller spent 1990 at Charleston, hitting .241. At Charleston, Fuller was one of the first players to catch converted pitcher Trevor Hoffman.

"I remember there was some talk that he wasn't going to hit past A-ball," Fuller told MLB.com in 2007. "But he always had a cannon for an arm in the infield."

Fuller spent 1991 and 1992 at single-A Cedar Rapids. He then made AA Chattanooga for 1993 and 1994. In late May 1994, Fuller picked up three hits and an RBI in a Chattanooga win. It was his final year in affiliated ball.

Fuller then moved into independent ball, playing 1995 with Sonoma County of the Western League. He hit .330 in 56 games. He stated with Sonoma County for 1996 and 1997, hitting .304 in 1997.

For 1998, Fuller signed with the Western League's Grays Harbor in his home state. Fuller and the rest of the team soon went on an extended road trip. The team played 62-straight road games.

That August, Fuller told The Associated Press about the hardships of such a road trip.

"My daughter keeps wondering where I'm at," Fuller told The AP. "She keeps saying, 'Are you going to be home in four days?' I just agree with her. She's only 4."

Fuller played one more season, with independent Chico, ending his career.

Fuller has since returned home to Washington State, founding the Gig Harbor Baseball and Sports Academy in 2005. He's also served as head coach of the Narrows Baseball Club, a program for players age 13 to 18.
1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,500
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.8%
Never Made Majors: 753-50.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 193-X

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