Hissey hopes he can one day call the Red Sox dugout his home. Boston selected the 18-year-old, a star outfielder and recent graduate of Unionville High, with the final pick in the fourth round (142d overall) of this year's amateur draft.

That was the culmination of a pressure-filled spring. At Unionville home and away games, major-league scouts and cross-checkers videotaped Hissey taking swings in the batting cage and in the field.

"Every game was kind of an event," Unionville coach George DeDonato said. "Scouts would line up and watch. There were video cameras and stopwatches all over the place. The other kids on the team kind of got a kick out of it."

Hissey did not disappoint, either in warm-ups or game action. In 22 games, as the leadoff man or No. 3 hitter, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder batted .509 with 28 runs, 15 RBIs, eight doubles and two triples.

For his accomplishments and helping lead the Indians to the semifinals of the PIAA District 1 Class AAA playoffs, Hissey is The Inquirer's Southeastern Pennsylvania baseball player of the year.

"He was under so much pressure all year long," DeDonato said. "But he was very consistent. That enabled him to have a good year."

Walked 29 times by cautious pitchers, the quick-footed Hissey stole 26 bases. "If you weren't hustling in the field, he would easily turn a single into a double," DeDonato said. "He really put a defense on its toes."

Hissey, a lefthanded batter and thrower, also has quite an arm. That made opponents wary about running on the centerfielder.

"We watched him pretty closely in warm-ups," said Luke McNichol, coach of Ches-Mont League rival West Chester Henderson. "Every ball he threw was right where it needed to be. In the game, he took us out of a couple running chances."

In addition to Boston, representatives from the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates were regulars at games.

"It was really exciting," Hissey said. "And my teammates thought it was a neat atmosphere, which made it even better. All the guys were into the process, pulling for me to do well. I appreciated that."

Hissey expects to come to terms with Boston within the next month (the signing deadline is Aug. 15) and begin his professional career. If that happens, he will suit up for the Red Sox in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Boston's rookie-level squad plays at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

Projected as a centerfielder (or rightfielder) in the pros, Hissey will participate in a workout for Red Sox draftees on July 1 at Fenway Park. "I'm anxious to get started," he said. "I can't wait to get out there and show what I can do."

or robrien@phillynews.com.