Bell switches from baseball to golf swing

CEDAR RAPIDS - One athlete and two loves that have totally different swings.

Cody Bell has put down the baseball bat for a golf club, and the Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior transitions well from one to the other. He is a second-team all-district first baseman who earned a fourth-place finish at the Class 4A state golf meet last year.

"I love baseball. I love golf," Bell said before the Cougar's qualifying rounds at Ellis Park Wednesday morning. "I try to find a happy medium."

As he refines his golf swing for 4A's fall season, Bell will be one of the top golfers for Kennedy, which looks to continue its strong tradition that resulted in a state runner-up finish in 2010. The Cougars open the season Thursday with the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Twin Pines.

While many golfers are playing tournaments and fine-tuning their games, you will find Bell at a batting cage instead of the driving range and reading pitchers rather than greens. Bell, who helped Kennedy reach the state quarterfinals after winning the 2010 4A  state baseball title, said he doesn't pick up his clubs during baseball season, but begins practice as soon as it concludes.

"The first days I just go out and work on the range and work the kinks out," said Bell, owning .374 batting average this summer. "It takes time. You can hit the ball well, but you're not in scoring shape, yet. You have to play rounds to get in scoring shape.

"As time comes, I'll progress a little bit better."

Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden will count on Bell to be one of the leaders for this year's squad. He has imagined Bell's potential if he focused solely on golf, but knows once golf starts Bell is fully committed.

"He puts his whole heart in everything," Wilden said. "He's done it every year."

Bell returns from an outstanding junior campaign, earning all-Mississippi Valley Conference, all-Metro and all-state honors finishing a shot out of third and just two back of second. He averaged a little more than 38 strokes per nine holes. The approach to reclaim and surpass that level is controlling his own performance.

"I look to compete every meet and be up there towards the top," Bell said. "I need to focus on how my game is going. I can't really pay attention to the competitors because that changes the way I play. I just need t go out and play."

Long drives complimented by a good short game power Bell's game. Wilden said some people have stopped just to watch him hit from the tee box.

"He's long off the tee," Wilden said. "His short game has been the best part."

Team achievements rank higher than his own as he often opted to talk about the team than himself. A modest and unselfish demeanor seems to cover a competitive nature that doesn't get discouraged by an occasional bad shot. Wilden said he does have a sense of humor, but is reserved.

"He's very quiet," Wilden said. "Very unassuming."

Bell is expected to be a leader, but he is just one of a strong nucleus from a year ago. Seniors Brigham Stewart and Mitchell Martin junior Harrison Moore also return with state meet experience and were among the Metro's top golfers. Bell said any of them could step to the forefront for the Cougars, who should be talented and balanced again.

"I feel we have a lot of people who can step into that (leadership) role," Bell said. "We feel we have six players that can score in any meet this year, too."

Aug. 11: First day of competition; Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Twin Pines

Sept. 6: CRANDIC meet at Hunters Ridge Golf Course

Sept. 12: MVC division meets; Mississippi Division at Dubuque (TBD) and Valley Division at Waterloo (Gates Park)

Sept. 26: Final round of MVC division meets; Mississippi Division at Waterloo (TBD) and Valley Division at Airport National Golf Course

Oct. 4: Class 4A districts at Cedar Falls (Pheasant Ridge) and Eldridge (Glynn's Creek)

Oct. 7-8: Class 4A state tournament at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City

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