TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State baseball Mike Martin received a call one spring night from his pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Jamey Shouppe.

It was time. With major league scouts drawn to the strong arm and versatility of Leesburg (Ga.) High baseball sensation Buster Posey, this was a recruiting assignment for Martin to handle.

The next day Martin headed north to the outskirts of Albany, Ga., for his first look at Posey, who started that game at shortstop. Martin brought his radar gun, just in case Posey pitched that night.

"After meeting his mom and dad and family, I was just impressed with them as people," Martin said. "The more I was around Demp and Traci, the more I wanted Buster.

"And then when Buster threw the last inning and I got him at 91 on my gun, I liked him and the family a whole lot more."

Posey's first impression on the veteran Florida State coach is still fresh in Martin's mind.

But a good first impression has never been more important and more valuable than the ones Posey made this season. Thursday will be the proof of that.