Macon Giants Braving Summer Heat for 5th Season

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Giants are back in action this summer, but they’ve changed leagues.

They’ve moved on from the 8-team Premier Prospect League to the 4-team Georgia Baseball League.  The league might have changed, but the reason these college players choose to battle the summer humidity remains the same.

“75% of the kids who get picked up for scholarships, Major League Baseball, AAA, AA, whatever, they get seen in the summer,” says head coach Jay Cranford.  “That’s when the coaches have a lot of time, because naturally, during baseball season they don’t have time to look at new players.”

Cranford has coached the Giants since their first season in 2009.  They won a championship in 2011 and they’ve finished every season with a winning record.

It’s Gavin Peters’ first season with the Giants.

“I love the coach,” says Peters, a second baseman from Douglasville.  “He’s a real great guy.  He’s helping me out and getting me ready for next season.  I’ve faced some good competition, so it’s a good club to be in.”

Cranford hopes the success the Giants have had continues in 2013.

“I feel real good about this team,” says Cranford.  “There’s some young guys on it and some guys that are straight out of high school coming in.  We’ve got some veterans too that are kind of leading the way, but it’s all about pitching and timely hitting.”

The Giants play their home games at Ed Defore Sports Complex.  It’s just $5 to get in. There will be an all-star game Saturday, June 29 at the complex for the GBL.

Another Macon team, the Middle Georgia River Rats, also play their home games at the complex.  The Giants, River Rats, Albany Paulies and Phenix City Crawdads make up the 4-team conference.

For a full schedule of games, click here.