June 4, 2002

MOUNT PLEASANT - A former Central Michigan University pitcher has taken his first step towards playing in the big show.

The right-handed pitcher Chad Pleiness was selected in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon. He was the 146th pick overall and the 14th pick of the fifth round.

"I'm excited about the chance to play baseball again," said the Scottville native. "Hopefully, I can get the contract negotiations out of the way and start playing again."

Pleiness will make his professional debut in the Short-A League playing for Auburn of the New York-Penn League. The league starts a couple weeks after the draft. Auburn is located between Syracuse and Rochester, N.Y.

"The Blue Jays told me they were willing to move people up through the organization quickly," Pleiness commented.

He hopes to sign an agent this week and looks to be back on the mound as soon as possible.