Byron Williams just wants a chance to play baseball at the next level. If he keeps playing the way he is playing, he might get the chance.

The 2006 Robertsdale High School graduate was awarded with a Rawlings Gold Glove for his defensive play in the outfield for the Danville Area Community College Jaguars. The award, given to the nation’s best defensive players, was only one of the numerous honors the outfielder was given after the 2008 season.

Willams was a first-team All-Midwest Conference outfielder, a first-team All-District selection, a first-team All-Region 24 selection and was named the 2008 Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also voted as a team captain, team MVP and most inspirational team member.

“I love to play defense,” Williams said. “I can hit the ball, but defense is my favorite part. I like diving and tracking down flyballs in the gaps.”

He finished the 2008 season with a .448 batting average, 53 runs, 69 hits, seven doubles, five triples, six homeruns, 21 walks and 21 steals.

After finishing up his two years of community college, the junior is set to play for the Atlanta Christian College Chargers this spring.

“I thank God every day for giving me the ability to play baseball,” Williams said. “It is a blessing to be able to play in college. Some people didn’t think I would ever be able to go to college.”

Williams really wants what most baseball players grow up dreaming about.

“I just want a chance at the next level, just one chance,” Williams said. “Every player dreams of making it to the next level.”

Academic issues kept him from playing in Division-1, college baseball’s highest level of competition, and Williams isn’t as big as most professional players, something that could also keep pro teams from looking at him. Williams sat through the last Major League Baseball draft waiting for some team to call, but he was never chosen.

All he needs is one chance, though.

“If you can play, you can play,” Williams said. “It doesn’t matter how big you are or what school you go to. I just have to keep working hard and hoping to get that chance.”