FLORENCE, SC -- A Wilson High School baseball standout believes he's fulfilled the wish of his late father.
18-year-old James Lawrence Smith dedicated this baseball season to his dad and it paid off.
Smith, II just goes by the name "Chipper." And this is the day he's waited for since he was 12-years-old. His chance to sign a baseball scholarship with a Division I University.
"Means a lot. It's what I worked hard for for six years on the baseball field - on and off the field. And I feel as if my hard work and dedication has paid off."
Chipper is a star pitcher and short stop for the Wilson High tigers.
In July, his father died in a motorcycle crash. Chipper says his dad was his #1 fan and never missed a game. "Things I miss - is hearing him scream my name, telling me to work hard - dedication, it's all in me."
Rodney Barr is Chipper's coach. "I can also relate. I lost my father as an 18-year-old so I know it was a tough transition trying to deal with playing baseball on top of missing his father."
Chipper's mom, family and teammates helped him through his grief and he was motivated to make his father proud.
Chipper's principal says he wishes all students would find the strength that Chipper did. "For them to set the goal for themselves, which is what Chipper has done, set a goal," said Dr. Gerard Edwards.
Chipper signed his scholarship letter to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday, with his mother looking on.
They said they both felt a special presence. "My husband would be here all dressed up smiling and grinning just as I am, and just saying how proud he is of our son," said Felicia Smith.
"I really feel like I completed his goal, and I really fell like he's still here," Chipper said.
He plans to attend the university in the fall and major in marketing.
