It's hard to turn on the television in the evening these days and not come across a show with forensic science as a central theme.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY are so popular and on so often that it almost seems as if there is a CSI network.

The Slippery Rock Sliders, the Frontier League baseball team that will begin its inaugural season May 23 and play home games at Slippery Rock University's Jack Critchfield Park, will have a player with knowledge of forensic science and force outs.

The Sliders have signed shortstop Eric Bonds to a contract for this season. The fact he led all NCAA Division III programs in runs scored in 2005 and '06 while playing for Alvernia College in Reading, Pa., is intriguing. But there's more to him than outstanding statistics.

Bonds will take the summer off from his job as a forensic assistant in Lancaster, Pa., to play for the Sliders.

A forensic assistant helps in performing autopsies to determine a cause of death. Bonds, who played high school baseball at Penn Manor, was a forensic science/chemistry major in college and compiled an impressive 3.68 grade point average last spring.

"I'll still have my job when the season is over as far as I know," Bonds said. "I haven't put any time frame on myself as far as how long I'll stick with baseball. It's everybody's dream to play professionally. I'll take it a day at a time."

Bonds works as an independent contractor for Lancaster and is considering getting into police work -- that CSI connection again -- or perhaps the FBI.

He also wants to give pro ball his best shot, which is why he jumped at the chance to play for the Sliders.

As a senior at Alvernia, Bonds hit .410 with 35 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and 63 runs. In 2005, he hit .455 -- eighth best in Division III -- with 44 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 75 runs. He helped Alvernia reach the NCAA Division III tournament both seasons and was a first-team Pennsylvania Athletic Conference selection both years.

He left Alvernia as the school's career leader in hits, runs scored, triples and stolen bases. His career batting average is an impressive .416.

So why wasn't he signed by a major league organization?

"A couple of teams looked at me ... the Padres, Braves, Orioles. I tore [the ACL in his left knee] in the regionals my junior year," he said. "After that, the Padres were the only ones who expressed any interest."

Bonds, 23, was recommended to the Sliders by a couple of college coaches. General manager Steve Tahsler did some cross checking, liked the reports he received and signed Bonds in January.

"He has the potential to be an impact player," Tahsler said. "We picked up another shortstop [Jon Hickey] in the expansion draft and we are not just going to hand the position to Eric. He'll have to earn it, but we like his potential."

Bonds scored a lot of runs in college because he's aggressive on the bases. He's not afraid to take a chance, challenge an outfielder and go for the extra base.

He also displayed some pop at the plate in college with nine doubles and four home runs last season, and 16 doubles and seven home runs in 2005.

"I'm definitely excited about the coming season," said Bonds, a 5-foot-11, 193-pound right-hander. "I've been hitting [in the cage] and I've been working out at the gym with a trainer who has worked with a couple of NFL guys. He's got me on a strict diet and I've been able to see the results. So, I'm getting ready."

He will report to training camp at Slippery Rock May 9. The Sliders open the season May 23 at the Washington Wild Things with the home opener May 29.

Bonds even knows where Slippery Rock is located. He had a cousin who attended classes at the university.

Former Pirates third baseman Richie Hebner worked in the offseason at a cemetery run by his father and earned the nickname "Gravedigger" because of the work he did there. Bonds said he doesn't have a nickname tied to his forensic work ... at least not yet.

"I'm sure someone will call him 'Doc' but I'll bet somebody will come up with something more inventive," said Leo Trich Jr., director of development for the Frontier League.