By Chelsea Schmid
Staff Writer who is Special to LIVE!
April 16, 2008

He’s had a taste of both independent and affiliated ball, and now, after a short stint with the Kannapolis Intimidators of the White Sox organization, John Anderson is back in San Angelo with a Colts Jersey on, this time as a player-coach.

“It’s great to have Johnny back,” says Colts Manager Doc Edwards. “He has roots in San Angelo, and has had his chance with an organization as a player. Now, he wants to go in a different direction…”

That direction started with his opening of Competitive Edge Solutions in Minnesota in 2006, a baseball school whose main focus is lessons, but offers other services as well. Anderson says his concentration these days is mostly administrative, although he does extensive work in teaching higher-end lessons at the school.

Are your kids jealous yet? They needn’t be! This summer, John will oversee camps for young San Angelo ballplayers, teaching them the skills needed to advance in sports while still having fun.

It’s a job Anderson is well qualified for: in 2006 alone Anderson received many awards for his playing prowess, catching the United League Most Valuable Player Award and the San Angelo Standard-Times Sportsman of the Year Award. Also in 2006, Anderson racked up a hit per game till he reached 31, breaking the independent league record for longest hitting streak.

The achievements go on and on for Anderson. He ended the 2006 season with a batting average of .390, winning him the title and putting him 61 points over the second highest average. Next he was voted to the first ever ULB All-Star game, where he led his team to victory with a home run.

With all he’s got going one has to wonder how he manages a seemingly double life—one as a coach in San Angelo, and another as a coach in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, his place of residence.

“The laptop stays hot,” Anderson offers, with a look that says he manages somehow.

One thing’s for sure: he may have a lot on his plate, but for us it sure does smell good. Between San Angelo and his work in the north, John Anderson is going to have his cake and eat it too.

--A San Angelo Colts press release contributed to this report.