By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

PAWTUCKET – It’s unquestionably the crowning moment for a ballplayer, one that doesn’t feature a base hit or strikeout. To see one’s name pop up on a tracker, or have a scout phone the homestead with good news, getting drafted is a moment to be cherished and never forgotten.
With baseball set to conduct the First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, several PawSox shared anecdotes from an exciting time. Every player has a unique tale to tell, though ultimately all conclude in similar fashion.
Clay Buchholz (drafted in 2005 in the sandwich round, No. 42 overall, by Boston)
Given the small nature of his hometown of Nederland, Texas, Buchholz thought it would be best to slip away to a sequestered – and more importantly, unknown – location.
“A couple of my friends and immediate family went to a hotel room in College Station (home of Texas A&M) so we could get out and not have everybody come over the house,” Buchholz said. “Everyone knows everything that goes on in my hometown and it was a pretty big deal at the time.
“Then the Red Sox called out my name and all the stress was gone. It was a pretty stressful couple of days leading up to that because other teams were calling and said ‘We have you slotted here.’ Expectations were high, but everything after that was all good. I signed less than two weeks later and went off to (short-season) Lowell.”
Chip Ambres (drafted in 1999 in the first round, No. 27 overall, by Florida)
Ambres had a scholarship to play baseball at Texas A&M, but those plans were ultimately scraped. He was as close to a first round lock as there was, given Ambres was a Baseball America Second Team All-American his senior year at West Brook (TX) High School.
“I had my family and friends, three TV stations, my old coaches from Little League and football coaches,” Ambres said. “My agent called and said the draft started at 11:30 (in the morning) and that it would take a half an hour for the first round. The 30 minutes went by, and my phone didn’t ring. My agent called back and said ‘My mistake, it starts at 12.’ He called back 35 minutes after that and said I was a first-round pick of the Florida Marlins.
“My dad kissed me on the cheek; everyone was screaming… it was a good time. People were asking me what I was going to do (regarding heading to college or turn pro).”
Paul McAnulty (drafted in 2002 in the 12th round, No. 355 overall, by San Diego)
All McAnulty craved was a chance after primarily serving as a designated hitter at Long Beach State. His two claims is that he was scouted and signed by Jason McLeod, the current Red Sox Director of Scouting, and was in the same Padres draft class as George Kottaras, who was taken in the 20th round. 
“School had just ended, and I remember sitting on the couch, just hanging out with my family,” said McAnulty. “I had somewhat of a clue, but not too much.”
As McAnulty found out, draft day can lead to a flood of phone calls.
“Jason called me around the 10th round and said San Diego was thinking about taking me in the 12th. He asked if I would sign and I said I was tired of people calling me. Of course I would sign,” added McAnulty. “I told Jason that the next time you call me, it better be because you drafted me.”
Jeff Natale (drafted in 2005 in the 32nd round, No. 978 overall, by Boston)
Natale, who grew up in New Haven, Conn., played out every New England youngsters dream when the Red Sox came a calling.  The pride of Trinity College knew he was a long shot to get selected on the first day, but that didn’t stop his mother from following the progress on the computer.
“My mom was following the first round all the way through, which I thought was funny because she thought I would go in lower rounds,” said Natale. “It’s an overwhelming experience. Basically you’re seeing 20-some-odd-years come true.
“To be drafted by the Red Sox – one of the most widely known organizations – is a pretty big accomplishment.”
Chris Carter (drafted in 2004 in the 17th round, No. 506 overall, by Arizona)
By happens chance, the Diamondbacks regional scout that tracked Carter saw the slugger play at De La Salle (Calif.) High School. That came in handy after Carter saw limited time at Stanford.
“I didn’t know if I was going to get drafted, or if I did I probably wouldn’t sign for much money. I didn’t play much in college, but this was chance to go out and follow my dream,” said Carter. “It was a great beginning to a new start.”   
Gil Velazquez (drafted in 1988 in the 14th round, No. 424 overall, by the New York Mets)
Expectations were raised for Velazquez after a Mets scout dropped by.
“My scout was Bob Miner, and he came to my house two days before the draft. He asked what round I would like to go and I said the 10th round. He said, ‘What about the 14th round?’ I said we’ll have to see,” said Velazquez. “It was a real special moment for my family because all my brothers played baseball and my dad coached us since we were kids. Now finally someone makes it to play professional baseball.”