[6/17/03]Robby Goodson loved playing baseball at Mississippi State. The atmosphere was top-notch, the fans cheered loudly each time he came to the plate, and he enjoyed great success on the field in leading the team in hitting two straight years.

It was sitting the bench that didn’t sit well with the former Vicksburg High star.

Goodson, who hit a team-best .358 for State this spring, said Thursday he would transfer, and he signed with Jacksonville State on Saturday. Goodson only has one year of eligibility left, but was released from his commitment to Mississippi State and will be able to play at the Alabama school in 2004.

“I had made up my mind, probably after the first week of the season, that I wasn’t going to be there anymore,” Goodson said. “I love this place (Mississippi State). I don’t think there’s a better place to play baseball. But I’d rather play at some place small than just be at some place big.”

Goodson also led Mississippi State in hitting in 2002, with a .369 average, and was ready for a chance to play full-time this spring. Early in the season, though, that chance never materialized.

He started 21 of MSU’s 43 games after playing in 34 of 59 games in 2002 leaving him upset and confused. He played well when he was in the lineup, and couldn’t figure out why he was on the bench so often.

At the regional in Starkville, Goodson led all players in hitting with a .571 average in four games. He was selected to the All-Regional team as a designated hitter and finished the season with seven doubles, one home run, and 22 RBIs.

“That didn’t make sense,” Goodson said. “That’s the reason I’m upset. I performed when I got the chance.”

By the end of the season, Goodson was more than ready to move on. He talked to MSU coach Ron Polk shortly after the Bulldogs lost to North Carolina in the regional, and the two parted ways on good terms.

“He decided he wanted to go to a place that was a little bit smaller and gave him a chance to play more and maybe pitch a little bit more. I told him I was behind him 100 percent,” Polk said. “We’d like to have him come back, but at the same time, if he wanted to play a position, I couldn’t guarantee him that.”

Mississippi State has a large number of players returning for 2004, but also lost several starters to the major league draft. Goodson figured he’d have a larger role with the Bulldogs next season, but was afraid he’d end up on the bench again.

“That’s the reason I transferred,” Goodson said. “I only have one year left and I didn’t want to take a chance on coming off the bench like I have the last two years.”

That shouldn’t be a problem at Jacksonville State. Two of the school’s coaches, head coach Jim Case and assistant Matt Ishee, are former Mississippi State assistants who helped recruit Goodson to Starkville.

The coaching staff promised the versatile Goodson a chance to play several positions. Goodson served as a designated hitter and pitcher for most of his time at MSU, but played third base, first base, pitcher, and the outfield in high school.

He also pitched at MSU, going 0-3 with a 7.07 ERA and one save this season. In 12 appearances, he pitched 14 innings, struck out 23 and walked 12. Goodson’s fastball approaches 90 mph, making him a potential closer for the Gamecocks.

“They told me I could DH, play first base, right field, and bat every game,” Goodson said. “They told me I could be a closer and have a chance to be a starter, if I wanted to. They’d work with me on that.”

Although he’s leaving Starkville, there’s a chance he may be back. He has three or four semesters remaining to get his degree in teaching and coaching, and didn’t rule out a return to Mississippi State to complete his education when his baseball eligibility is finished.

“Me and my dad have talked about that,” Goodson said. “I wouldn’t mind coming back here and finishing, because I enjoy the people and have a lot of friends here. But I may get up there and meet a lot of people and like it there.”