Senior drafted by Cleveland Indians

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

Only four days after being selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Major League Baseball Draft, Purdue closer Andy Helmer will find out this afternoon what his future in professional baseball holds.

Helmer was selected in the 25th round of Monday's draft. Helmer, who is tied for first with 15 saves on Purdue's career list, said although he is excited about the opportunity of playing professional baseball, he has other things on his mind as well.

The primary issue that Helmer is concerning himself with is graduating from Purdue. Helmer, who needs only one more semester to earn his degree, meets with a Cleveland Indians baseball scout this afternoon to find out if he is able to finish school in the fall — a priority for him right now.

If Helmer signs a contract today with the Cleveland organization, he will no longer be on scholarship, thus having to pay for his last semester of college. The 6'8" right hander wants to finish his school as soon as possible, however, doesn't think he'll be able to afford paying for a semester on his own.

"If I can work something out with the Indians' people," said Helmer, "then, I'll go ahead and sign a contract.

"But, if they're unable to help me pay for this last semester, then I guess I just don’t sign."

With these issues hanging heavy on Helmer's mind, his excitement has gotten lost in the shuffle. He is, however, excited about the possibilities of playing pro baseball.

"I'm just glad to get the opportunity," said Helmer, who added he though he would have been drafted a little earlier in the draft. "I've always wanted to play professionally."

This is the second time Helmer has been selected in the baseball draft. Helmer was selected in the 16th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the New York Yankees while still attending Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne. Helmer, however, opted to go to college and earn an education while playing baseball.

Two individuals that find themselves in a similar situation to what Helmer was in four years ago are Boiler recruits Chris Bass and Bruce Dohrman.

As the only other Boilers selected in the draft, Bass and Dohrman must now make a choice between Purdue or playing minor league baseball — a decision that Boiler assistant coach Todd Murphy said is one of the most important of their young lives.

"You just try to give the kids the plusses about going to college," said Murphy. "If they opt to sign a contract, they're missing out on the best times of their lives for only between $500-$800 a month.

Bass, a shortstop/third baseman from Madison High School in Madison, Ind., was selected in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Dohrman, who is a power hitting left-handed outfielder from Garrett High School in Garrett, Ind., was taken in the 19th round by the Minnesota Twins.

Boiler coach Doug Schreiber said that this kind of problem, which he calls a "good problem," is just something that you have to expect at the college level.

"If you're dong a good job of recruiting, then this problem is going to happen," said Schreiber.

Schreiber said it could be as late as mid-July before either Bass or Dohrman make a decision on whether to attend Purdue or pursue a career in professional baseball. One reason that the process for the duo will take longer is that both are still playing high school ball — finishing up their seasons — and professional scouts cannot contact them until the season is over.

From Monday, both the Pirates and Twins have only 15 days to offer contracts to Bass and Dohrman.

All the hard work in trying to recruit the best baseball players in the land only to lose them to the tempting professional baseball draft can be disappointing, according to Murphy.

"It's frustrating at times," said Murphy, "but, it’s the nature of the business."