Instead of fishing today, Ryan Belanger will board a jetairliner and fly to Arizona, chasing his Major League Baseballdreams. The Southern Miss pitcher has committed to a contract withthe Kansas City Royals.

Belanger, a Houma, La. native, pitched two years forCopiah-Lincoln Community College before signing with Southern Miss.This past season he anchored the USM pitching staff. He won hislast collegiate game, beating Troy State University in the openinground of the NCAA Oxford Regional.

He was undrafted in last week’s Major League Baseball Draft. Aright-hander, he posted an 8-4 record as a senior.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Belanger Thursday,when contacted at his home. “I’ve been spending some time with myfamily.”

His brother, Brandon, pitched at Co-Lin and Tulane University.He played for the San Diego Padres in the minor league system for afew years before entering the business world.

“I was planning on a Friday fishing trip but I got a callyesterday,” said Belanger. “I’d rather be playing baseball any day,instead of fishing.,”

When he arrives in Phoenix today, he will report to the RookieArizona League in suburb of Sun City.

Belanger said he wouldn’t mind the heat and high temperatures inthe desert area. “I’m looking forward to it. I hate cold weather. Iwould rather it be 120 degrees instead of 60.”

Belanger won his last collegiate game for Southern Miss but theGolden Eagles ran out of gas and pitchers as region host Ole Missprevailed over USM. “I wish we would have pulled through and beatOle Miss.”

Belanger said he has enjoyed his to years at Southern Miss. “Iwish I had one more year at Southern. They are going to have a verygood team.”

At USM, Belanger has majored in sports administration with aminor in business. He is close to the requirements for graduation.”I’ve got an on-line class that I want to take while I’m playingball. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll go back to school in the falland finish, after the season.”

Looking ahead, he is on schedule to graduate in December. Heplans a career in sales. “I may sell pharmaceuticals or something.I enjoy meeting people and talking to them.”

He is dating Dana King of Brookhaven (West Lincoln), a formerCo-Lin softball and basketball player.

Belanger was a key member of the 2005 Co-Lin squad that wonstate, regional and super regional championships, advancing to theNJCAA Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn., where theWolfpack finished fourth.

“I enjoyed playing for Co-Lin and Coach Keith Case,” saidBelanger. “I stay in touch with Coach Case and some of theplayers.”

Southern Miss coach Corky Palmer said Belanger was an intensecompetitor and that should help him on the professional level.”Ryan hates to lose. He’s a big-time competitor.

“They say dynamite comes in small packages. He’s a tough guy.That gives him an edge. He pitches with a chip on hisshoulder.”

Belanger, 5-foot-10 and 160-pounds, will give pro ball his besteffort.