Baseball guys say, “If you can hit, you can play.”

Maybe a player can’t pitch, can’t track a ball in the outfield, doesn’t know what to do on the bases — but as long as he can hit, he can play.

If that player can throw down hits and play great baseball at nearly every position, he can do more than play. He can sign a college baseball scholarship, like West Lincoln senior Kylar Fielder, who will attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College next year as a member of the Wolfpack baseball team, tuition paid.

“I’m excited about joining Co-Lin. It’s close to home, I have a bunch of friends already playing there, I like the coaches, the facilities, and I love their game,” Fielder said. “It’s just a great group of guys.”

Fielder will put on the blue and white jersey next season after compiling an impressive statistical record as a sophomore and junior at West Lincoln, with senior performance still piling up. In just four games so far this season, he’s hitting .571 and has already made contact on eight pitches, knocking in three runs.

As a junior last season, he batted .493, touching off 34 hits and batting in 33 runs, adding nine doubles and a grand slam. His sophomore numbers were good, too — back then, he batted .485, driving in 29 runs on 32 hits, including three homers.

“I’m a hitter, a line drive hitter, a contact hitter,” Fielder said. “I put the ball in play. When I get to Co-Lin, I want to be the best player I can be.”

Co-Lin baseball coach Clay Smith said his staff was impressed not only with Fielder’s solid batting ability, but with his baseball smarts — Fielder has played the bases, catcher and even pitcher, making him a versatile player, Smith said.

“He’s got athleticism, he’s a really strong kid so he’s got a chance to bring some power to our lineup next year. We’re projecting him as a first baseman, which is a big need for us. But he’s the type of guy who can adjust well to the college game because of his speed and ability to play different positions. He’s a quality player and we’re glad to have him.”

West Lincoln coach David Gilbert said Fielder was the best “pure hitter” he’s ever coached.

“He’s played it all for me. He loves the field, loves the weight room, always hitting extra, always working extra,” he said. “Kylar has a love for the game you don’t always see anymore. Co-Lin is getting the full package with him. I hope to have a good year out of him this spring for sure, and savor the moment for a few more games, because I’m sure going to miss him.”

Fielder’s father, Cameron Fielder, said his son has played well, and been coached well, since T-ball.

“We’re just proud of him. He worked hard to get where he is,” he said.

His mother, Rhonda Fielder, is a bit of a crier. Like all mommas, she was happy her senior would be close by for college.

“We’re so proud of him — he’s such a good kid, on and off the field,” she said.