BY BRANDON WALKER
The Daily News
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Nor should they question his intelligence -- especially when it comes to picking friends.
A three-year star for Franklinton High School, Lester has accumulated a 1.66 ERA and 23 career wins for the Demons, helping lead the team to back-to-back appearances in the 3A State Semifinals. Through all he has learned on the baseball field, Lester learned early in life the value of picking the right friends.
"I was always kind of small, so I liked to hang out with big guys," Lester remarked recently. "I just always seemed to be around bigger kids, and I just acted like I was that size."
Perhaps that's why, in seventh grade, Lester quickly became friends with a towering transfer from Bogalusa.
"I remember when Lee came over in seventh garde, we've been friends," Lester said. "That's how it's always going to be."
And that's how it will be for at least the next two years. On Wednesday, Lester and long-time pal Lee Seal, both senior standouts for Franklinton, signed on the dotted line to continue their stellar baseball careers at Gulf Coast Community College, one of the most respected two-yearstops in the ranks of junior college baseball.
"It's an honor to be able to go to a place like Gulf Coast," Seal said. "It's one of the elite junior college programs in the country. To be able to go there with Charlie is a bonus."
Surrounded by family, friends, and teammates in the Franklinton High School cafetria, Seal and Lester announced their intentions to attend the Panama City institution to a rousing reception.
Passing the microphone, countless supporters shared kind words about the Demon duo, including Franklinton head coach Jeff Tageant.
"The thing about Lee and Charlie is dedication. Their talent is obvious, but they know the value of going the extra mile, and they lead by example," Tageant commented. "Guys like Lee and Charlie make coaching easy. It has been a pleasure getting to work with them."
Seal, the second-youngest of Randy and Sheila Seal's five children, has been a dual-threrat for the Demons his career. In his three years, Seal has amassed 15 wins on the mound, overpowering opposing hitters to the tune of a 1.62 ERA. Offensively, Seal has been the backbone of the FHS offense, mashing 15 career homeruns.
For that reason, the third baseman/pitcher will continue to pull double-duty at Gulf Coast.
"They offered me the chance to keep playing both positions," Seal said. "That was a big part in making this decision."
For Randy Seal, the trip to Panama City will be well worth the five-hour drive to see his son perform at the next level.
"It's five-and-a-half hours away, but we would have gone to Alaska to watch him play," stated Seal's father. "We are just so proud of Lee and Charlie for this accomplishment.
For Lester, who carries a perpetual smile off the baseball field, Gulfl Coast turned out to be his destination of choice for a myriad of reasons.
"I'm an outdoor person. I love the clean air, I love the beach. I can't wait to get down there," Lester noted. "To be there with lee, it's going to be just like home."
For mother Joella Hart, the signing of the youngest of her four children is an enormous source of pride.
"This is a very proud day for us," Hart admitted, speaking for herself and Marion Hart, Lester's grandmother. "I've reminded him that this is a great opportunty and that he just needs to keep God first and he will succeed. He has done that his whole life and i know he will keep doing just that."
With unparalelled accomplishments on the field, Seal and Lester were also lauded by supporters for being quality young men.
"While we are proud of the way they play baseball, we are most pleased with the types of young men they have become," added Randy Seal to applause from the assmebled crowd.
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