Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball

Started In 1958 At The Request Of Our Nation’s Baseball Coaches Vol. 63, No. 4 Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 $4.00 Torkelson May Go From No Draft To No. 1 After only hitting he snapped Barry Bonds’ freshman worker, and he prides himself in being mark in just his 25th game of the year. a total player. While he receives a lot 11 home runs in 110 Bonds hit 11 home runs in 64 games of accolades with his power numbers, varsity games in high as a freshman in 1983. he also is great on defense as a first school, Sun Devil star The talented first baseman was baseman. just one home run shy of the NCAA “What he has achieved is not an belts 48 in 2 seasons freshman record. accident. He has worked hard on his with Arizona State. In 2019, Torkelson hit 23 more development with our hitting coach homers in 57 games despite pitchers Mike Earley who I consider the best By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. trying to pitch around him. hitting coach in the country. Editor/Collegiate Baseball That is 48 home runs in 116 games “From day one, Spencer had a against much tougher pitching than plan, preparation and structure in his EMPE, Ariz. — When Arizona he faced at Casa Grande H.S. development with Mike. Another State’s Spencer Torkelson He is only the third player in important aspect in his development Tfinished his senior season at Pac-12 history to have back-to-back was hard work with our strength and Casa Grande High School (Petaluma, 20-plus home run seasons. conditioning coach Jason Robbins. Calif.) in 2017, there were 1,215 The last time a college player was “You look at Spencer now, and players chosen in the MLB Draft picked No. 1 overall in the draft and he is a strong, physical man (6-foot- over 40 rounds. wasn’t drafted out of high school 1, 220-pounds). He also is a very He wasn’t one of them. was in 2009 when San Diego State coachable player.” During his four years at Casa RHP Stephen Strasburg was chosen Smith said his favorite Spencer Grande H.S., he only hit 11 home No. 1 overall by the Washington Torkelson story took place recently. runs in 110 varsity games. Nationals. “During the last round in our Fast forward three years. The obvious question is how did batting cage, he asks me where I Torkelson could easily be the Torkelson become an elite power would like him to hit it. I said try and No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB hitter when he really didn’t show it hit a ball over the right centerfield Draft. as a high school player? scoreboard. He steps in there and His freshman year with the Sun “He is a generational type of belts the first pitch exactly where I Devils, he belted a nation-leading 25 player, and a combination of things said to. He turns his head back and home runs in 59 games in 2018. came together for him,” said ASU has this big smile as he looks at me. It was the most amount of home Head Coach Tracy Smith. Arizona St. Slugger Spencer Torkelson runs ever for an ASU freshman as “First of all, he is a tremendous See TORKELSON, Page 2

Utilizes 720 Cubes To Make 6-foot Tall Works Of Art Iowa Ace Constructs Murals With Special Cubes It typically takes 10 hours enters the season as the Friday night starter. Virtually everyone is familiar with the to design and build each Rubik’s Cube (see photo to right), a 3-D portrait as he constructs square combination puzzle which has nine each one with great care. squares on each of the six sides. Invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik, By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. over 350 million cubes have been sold across Editor/Collegiate Baseball the world. It is the top selling toy in the world and has caused hours and hours of frustration OWA CITY, Iowa. — Jack Dreyer is the in the quest to solve it. ace of the University of Iowa pitching A beginner may take days and even weeks staff and does something rare for college I to get each side the same color unless he uses athletes. a cheat sheet. For the past 15 months, this gifted southpaw The world record for solving this puzzle has been designing and constructing six foot is 3.47 seconds by Yusheng Duo. tall murals out of cubes that are nearly identical to Rubik’s Cubes. Solved Rubik’s Cube Early In Life It a huge artistic challenge since there When Dreyer was a young boy, he played are only six colors (white, red, blue, orange, with a old Rubik’s Cube that his parents over 16 seconds, and I placed 50th in the green and yellow), and each cube is 2 1/4 enjoyed with when they were kids. competition. It was apparent to me that I was inches on each side. “I found it really challenging,” said not going to get much better at this. When Dreyer is done, each mural features Dreyer. “A friend of mine sent me a Tweet about 720 cubes and takes up to 10 hours to “I got pretty good solving one side of it but a well known artist who made murals out complete. didn’t know where to go from there. Once I of Rubik’s Cubes as his full time job. When Dreyer, who saw his season cut short last figured out how to solve all six sides, I would I saw it, I was super intrigued. I felt it was year when a shoulder injury sidelined him look up different algorithms to solve it faster something I needed to do. after two starts, posted a 1-0 record, 2.45 ERA and faster. Eventually I got to the point where “I reached out to multiple cube companies and fanned 11 batters as he took a medical I solved it in 14.2 seconds. online. Rubik’s Cubes is not one of the best redshirt. “I entered in a competition last fall in Iowa Pitcher Jack Dreyer He is healthy now for the Hawkeyes as he Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I averaged a time just See WORKS OF ART, Page 8 Inside Collegiate Baseball Web Site: www.baseballnews.com Baseball Rules On Technology Ethics Meltdown In Baseball Secrets To Coaching Baseball Rich Marazzi explains how you For some coaches, using any and Special 3-part series focuses can get into big trouble using all tactics to win games is more on unique skippers who can electronics to steal signs/Page 3 important than anything/Page 6 teach on another level/Page 11 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Torkelson Delivers Bombs After Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Plan, Structure By Mike Earley Amateur Baseball Continued From Page 1 ‘do less,’ what happens is less becomes more. “It is the type of story you tell at a “It was a process, and he had to trust it. We utilized simple drills Collegiate Baseball (ISSN 0530-9751) is published twice a month banquet. I used to do the same thing January-May and once in June, July, September and October with Kyle Schwarber (fourth player that got it all to click with him. It (14 total issues) by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Inc., 2515 picked overall in the 2014 MLB is important to say that Spence puts N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Periodicals postage paid at Draft by the Cubs) when I coached in a ton of work.” Tucson, AZ. at the University of Indiana. He had Earley said he has found that the ability to do special things just knowing when to coach and when Postmaster: Send address changes to: as Spencer can.” not to is a very fine line in hitting. Collegiate Baseball Smith said Torkelson is a “With Spence, it is three simple P.O. Box 50566 remarkable person as well. things which include using less Tucson, AZ 85703 “People who come around the body, where his finish is at and program are greeted with a warm being in a good position to hit. Overnight Mail: 2515 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 handshake by Spencer. It might be “Both of us do a good job of pre- an alum, someone doing a tour or game preparation not only seeing Past Publishers: Abe Chanin, Lou Pavlovich, Sr. someone else. After they meet him, what other pitchers are throwing Single 1-Year Subscription Rate: $28 for 14 issues. every person comments on what a against other guys but almost Single 1-Year First Class U.S. Subscription: $45 $50 predicting how pitchers are going to Single 1-Year Foreign Air Mail Subscription: nice young man he is. Sometimes Special Team Subscriptions: 11 papers each issue sent to one that great quality is lost when pitch to him. I put a lot of time on address — $110 (save $198 off the single subscription price), and people look at him. pre-game preparation. But he easily 21 papers each issue sent to one address — $189 (save $399). “The humility of success is puts in just as much time being a Other Multiple Subscription Offers: Please inquire with sub- lost with some people. Spencer SPENCER TORKELSON student of hitting. He watches a ton scription department at (520) 623-4530. routinely makes a great impression every level but the Big Leagues. He of video and never stops trying to on people, and that is important in relates to every player. He realizes refine his swing. Directory life.” the rate of failure a hitter has and “His ability to make adjustments after he has made mistakes is the Great Natural Hitter knows you will not have good Area Code (520) Torkelson said he has always had games and will struggle at times. best I have ever seen. On top of all this, he is a top-notch person. He Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530) the natural ability to hit balls hard “He keeps your confidence up Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530 to report stories) consistently. as a hitter no matter who you are. has made me better as a coach and human being. Spence has made Advertising Director: Diane Pavlovich (Call 623-4530) “However, I wouldn’t say I have He constantly tells hitters how Subscription Department: (Call 623-4530) had crazy power like I showed good they really are. To have that our team better. When you have a Fax Machine: (Call 624-5501) my freshman year and last year at confidence and trust is vital. If you hitter like that who buys into what E-Mail: [email protected] Arizona State,” said Torkelson. don’t believe in yourself, then you you’re doing, everyone else just Web Site: www.baseballnews.com “What really helped was working probably won’t succeed in hitting. falls in line. with hitting coach Mike Earley and “Coach Earley likes to keep “We have had some talented also getting stronger with the help things simple for hitters which hitters come here and do well 2020 Publication Schedule of our strength and conditioning is another secret to his success. with our system. When guys have success, other guys want to do it.” January 3 March 6 May 1 September 4 coach Jason Robbins. I personally don’t like to over January 24 March 20 May 15 October 2 “Both of them do a superb job think in this game, especially as Earley was asked if Torkelson February 7 April 3 June 12 of developing people the second a hitter.” has elite vision. February 21 April 17 July 10 they step on campus. During the Torkelson said one drill he does The late Dr. Bill Harrison tested fall of my freshman year, I gained every single day is hit with a skinny thousands of remarkable hitters about 10-15 pounds, and it was all bat and small Wiffle Ball which in pro baseball. But one stood Moving? muscle. allows him to have better hand-eye out visually with that being Barry “Mike Early took me under his coordination. Bonds. Make Sure CB Moves Along With You! please write us 30 days in advance if wing and saw potential in me. He “Plus, it is a lot of fun. I have Since Torkelson shattered To change your address, Bonds’ freshman home run record you can. Mail to: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper told me that I don’t really need to done that since I was 10 years Dept. Address Change try and hit home runs. It was just old. It’s simple and literally brings at Arizona State and has now hit 48 in two seasons with the Sun Devils, P.O. Box 50566 a matter of time until it clicked. you back to when it was just a Tucson, Ariz. 85703 He took me out on the field and game. Now it is a bigger stage. Early was asked if his talented did front toss in November of my But in truth, it will always be just junior has special hitting vision. 1. Please print OLD address here. freshman year. a game.” “We have never tested his vision, NAME “He asked me to see how easy I but I know he is one hell of a ping Visualizes Great Swings pong player,” said Earley. STREET APT. # can hit one of these balls out of the Another important thing he does CITY STATE ZIP park. With that mind set, I began “So maybe he does. It would not is visualize great swings. shock me at all that he has special hitting balls over the fence. DATE OF “I have a video of the best swings hitting vision. “That really hit home with I have ever taken in games. I can MOVE: me. During games I did this “From the first day he got to watch that before I go to sleep or ASU, he has done the same stuff which allowed my hands to work 2. Please print NEW address here. on the bus prior to a game or even over and over again. It is the same efficiently and took my body out in our locker room before a game. NAME of the equation. As I followed this routine that builds up to games. The Then I can visualize myself taking consistency in his day-to-day work STREET APT. # plan by Coach Earley, it allowed that swing during a game that I am home runs to come all season long has been the reason why he is such CITY STATE ZIP about to play. That plays a role as a consistent hitter.” my freshman year. well as I visualize success.” “It was a big difference maker Torkelson said pitchers in the my freshman year.” Pac-12 have tried every way Torkelson said there are a million possible to get him out. Kent Shelley Will Retire After 2020 Season ways to get a concept across in “You name it and pitchers have OVERLAND PARK, Kan. have been able to identify, develop, All-Americans, one World Series hitting. tried it on me. Some throw inside — After 33 seasons in the Cavaliers provide a quality education and All-Tournament selection, six “For me when Coach Earley early in the count so I can’t extend dugout, Kent Shelley will retire as assist in moving to the next level. I USA Junior College All-Stars, 34 showed me how valuable the hands my arms. Then they follow that head coach of the Johnson County will always be a Cavalier, and I will All-Region performers and 176 were to me as a hitter, that is when with breaking balls away. When Community College baseball remain their All-East Jayhawk Conference everything came together. pitchers follow different patterns program at the conclusion of the No. 1 fan.” selections. “Coach Earley is also big on a like this, our hitting coach takes 2020 season. In his pre- Additionally, 44 of his former hitter’s approach. He played at the advantage of that with the approach The Hall of Fame coach enters v i o u s 3 2 players have been drafted or signed University of Indiana for Coach we take to different pitchers.” his final campaign with 1,055 campaigns as as free agents by Major League Smith and was a senior sign. He He said that a lot of his success wins, two NJCAA World Series the Cavaliers Baseball. then played in Rookie ball, A, AA didn’t come overnight. appearances, four Region VI titles skipper, Shelley In August of 2002, power hitter and AAA. So he has played on “I have worked very hard to get and three East Jayhawk Conference has produced Kit Pellow became the first JCCC where I am,” said Torkelson. titles. nine teams that player to make it to the Major 1-0 Thriller Won The Sun Devils’ hitting coach He is the winningest coach in have surpassed Leagues, playing for the Kansas thinks the world of his star pupil. JCCC history, and one of the all- 40 wins, 20 City Royals. Two years later, Pellow By Raiders In 9th “When I saw Spence hit as a time leaders in the Kansas Jayhawk teams that have was the opening day starter in left NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest freshman when he got to ASU, I Community College Conference. KENT SHELLEY won at least 30 field for the Colorado Rockies. Florida St. beat San Jacinto North, was shocked he only hit 11 home “I am extremely honored to have wins and his teams have topped Off the field Shelley’s players 1-0 in a classic pitchers’ duel. runs in 110 varsity games in high been given the opportunity to coach 20 wins more in 31 of those 32 have been honored by the NJCAA The game was tied 0-0 going school,” said Earley. all 33 years of my career at the same seasons. for academic excellence 63 times, into the bottom of the ninth when “Before he even took an at-bat institution which I have taken great He has been named the Region and since 2008, his teams have been the Raiders pushed across the only at Arizona State, I saw a natural pride in representing throughout my VI Coach of the Year four times ranked among the top 15 academic run of the game. ability to put the barrel on the ball travels in the world of baseball,” (1990, 1993, 2003, 2014) and was teams in the country. Two Northwest Florida St. mixed with raw power. said Shelley. the Kansas Jayhawk Conference In 2019, pitcher Dylan Bierman pitchers only surrendered 1 hit “When we initially worked “To be able to sustain a level of East Division Coach of the Year in became the first JCCC male athlete with 16 strikeouts. together, I slowed him down. He excellence both in the class room 2014. Shelley’s players have also to earn Academic All-America Three San Jacinto North pitchers had a little too much body in his as well as on the baseball field seen unbelievable success. College Division At-Large as named mowed down 15 batters and only swing. His hands would get tied up has been a direct testament to the He has coached 11 NJCAA by the College Sports Information allowed 3 hits in the contest. behind him. When he is thinking high caliber of student-athletes we All-Americans, two preseason Directors of America. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Marazzi Discusses Illegal Sign Stealing Methods ANSONIA, Conn. — Will 2019 pitch was given, a team employee telephones, to communicate to permission from Durocher, who Philadelphia. be remembered as the year of would relay the message to a hitter or with any on-field personnel, was a crook and a thief.” We’re talking the Spanish- the whistle blower in American with loud banging of the trash can. including those in the dugout, I was astonished at Yvars’ American war era! history as well as Major League When no message was given, the bullpen, field and during the game, revelation and wondered how this “Reds infielder Tommy Corcoran Baseball? batter could expect a fastball. the clubhouse. Such equipment was kept in secrecy 30 years later. was coaching third base and kicking On Jan. 13, Houston Astros In early January, MLB opened may not be used for the purpose And it wasn’t until 2001 that the dust around, when the spikes of his general manager Jeff Luhnow an investigation involving the of stealing signs or conveying story gained national attention shoes caught in something which and manager AJ Hinch were each Red Sox, who allegedly used information designed to give a club when it was exposed in a Wall Street at first seemed to be a thick vine. suspended without pay by MLB their video/replay room during the an advantage.” Journal article. Tommy looked down at his feet and for the 2020 season because it was 2018 season to learn opponents’ MLB subsequently added laptop On Aug. 12, 1951, the Giants on closer inspection found it was no found that the Astros stole signs sign sequences, a strict violation computers to the restricted list. were 13 ½ games behind the vine, but a wire. He gave it a good electronically during the 2017 of Commissioner Rob Manfred’s Prior to the 2019 season a memo Dodgers before finishing the season yank and several yards of wire came regular and post season and the September 2017 edict on the subject was issued to all the teams banning in a dead heat (96-58) with their out of the ground. 2018 regular season. of electronic sign stealing that came all non-broadcast outfield cameras archrival. Did the Giants win the Corcoran halted the game, kept On the same day the MLB report on the heels of the Red Sox Apple from foul pole to foul pole. pennant as broadcaster Russ Hodges tugging away at the wire, and was issued, Astros owner Jim Crane Watch/Fitbits scheme which was It is believed that in 2018 six hysterically cried multiple times or with players on both teams at his announced that Luhnow and Hinch uncovered by the Yankees during teams might have installed in-house did they steal the pennant because heels, traced the wire across the were fired. a series between the two cameras in centerfield that were of their cheating program? field right into the Phillies locker Houston also forfeits rivals at Fenway Park. trained on opposing catcher’s signs. The “Schenz Plan” reportedly room. There they found Morgan its first- and second-round The Times reported One major league general manager began on July 20. The Giants Murphy, a reserve catcher who picks in the 2020 and 2021 Ruleball that video compiled by recently told me that two other did win 37 of the last 44 games rarely did any catching, sitting with MLB Drafts and were the Yankees provided teams are rumored to have stolen played that year while the slumping a telegraph instrument beside an fined $5 million, which is to the commissioner’s signs electronically. Dodgers went 26-24 down the open window. the highest allowable fine office showed Red Sox Teams violating the protocols stretch. For the record, after July Murphy tried to hide the under the Major League assistant athletic trainer face penalties that include the loss 20, the Giants went 24-6 at home instrument, along with a pair of Constitution. Jon Jochim looking at of draft picks and international with the telescope and 27-12 on the strong opera glasses that completed Should either Luhnow his Apple Watch, then spending money. road without it. his equipment. But the cat was out or Hinch be found to passing along a signal Sign stealing in the game of But the Giants batted .266 in of the bag. It eventually was learned engage in “any future to outfielder Brock Holt baseball has been around longer the Polo Grounds before the covert that Murphy spied on opposing material violations” of and second baseman than peanuts, popcorn and Cracker operation and only .256 with the aid catchers and relayed their signals, Major League rules in Dustin Pedroia, who Jack. of the telescope. There’s no doubt via the wire, to the Philadelphia the future, the offender was on the disabled list It is acceptable when done by the Giants excellent pitching was third base coach. will be placed on the With Rich Marazzi at the time. the naked eye, but not so when a factor in their winning. They A sort of a buzzer was under the permanently ineligible Rules Consultant T h e R e d S o x employed by electronic equipment had two 23-game winners in Sal dirt, and by keeping his foot on it, list. Blue Jays, Brewers, responded by accusing or other artificial means. Maglie and Larry Jansen most the coach knew one buzz meant a Cardinals, D’backs, The report says that Dodgers, Mariners, the Yankees of using You are probably aware of the likely unaffected by the grand fastball, two a curve, three a change the illegal sign-stealing Orioles, Phillies, one of their television 1951 New York Giants clandestine operation. of pace. The coach signaled the was mostly player-driven, Pirates, Rangers, network’s cameras plan when they used a telescope to Of course, the eternal question information to the batsman, who though it states that former Rays, Red Sox, exclusively to steal signs pilfer opponents’ catcher’s signs. remains, did Bobby Thomson, usually knew what to expect.” Royals, Tigers, Astros bench coach Alex Twins, Yankees, the during games. Both The operation was the brainchild who hit the epic three-run homer The restrictions on electronics Cora, was involved in the Fox Regional Sports teams were investigated of Hank Schenz, a stubby infielder off Ralph Branca in the deciding equipment in NFHS rules have operation. Networks, ESPN and by MLB. who appeared in eight games as a game of a best of three playoff vs. largely been eliminated. The use On Jan. 14 the Red the White Sox TV M L B c o n c l u d e d pinch-runner and never had an at the Dodgers, get the sign? of electronic equipment in the announcers. Sox and Cora mutually the Red Sox’ strategy bat for the Giants that season. The summer of 2001 was the coaches’ boxes is prohibited. agreed to part ways while Readers can submit violated the rules because Schenz, a WWII Navy veteran, 50th anniversary of Thomson’s Using e-devices to steal the Red Sox were under questions to Rich at: of the use of an electronic brought home a high-powered “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” signs would be deemed as [email protected] investigation. When the device. However, they Navy telescope that had a range of and I had the privilege of doing a unsportsmanlike. Red Sox investigation is completed, found insufficient evidence to 25 miles at sea. His idea was to use private combined interview with Under NCAA rule 5-2-1-f, non- MLB most likely will issue stiff support the allegation that the the telescope to steal the opposing Thomson and Branca at the Oak uniformed team personnel may penalties against Cora even though Yankees had made inappropriate catcher’s signs. Lane Country Club in Woodbridge, sit in the stands for the purpose of he is no longer in the picture, if use of the YES Network to gain a Sal Yvars, a back-up catcher with Conn. where the two appeared for a charting pitches, using radar guns illegal activity is found. competitive advantage. the Giants in ’51, was a key player in fundraiser. The interview was going or videotaping a contest. Both the Astros and Red Sox won But prior to 2017, the Yankees the execution of what was possibly smoothly when suddenly Branca, Games and individuals are world championships respectively had violated a rule governing baseball’s all-time elaborate on-the- aware by now of the telescope prohibited from being videotaped in 2017 and 2018. the use of the dugout phone. It is field cheating scheme that lasted operation, looked Thomson in from the team’s dugout. There were no penalties believed the Yankees checked with about two and half months. Yvars the eye and contentiously barked, Any scouting information should given to any players as part of the video replay guy to determine was the stockbroker of a friend of “People dwell on the moment you not be transmitted to the playing the investigation, though newly whether or not a play should be mine. hit the home run but if the Giants field or to team personnel. appointed Mets manager Carlos challenged. At the time there was no In the early 1980s, my friend stole one game they shouldn’t have A team may film or videotape its Beltran — who was a DH/outfielder written rule against it but there was invited Yvars and me to his home won, there wouldn’t have been a own game but not games involving on the 2017 Astros, was relieved of no official protocol to use it. one evening in Seymour, Conn. playoff.” other teams. From this corner, those his duties with the Mets on Jan. 16 Based on the foregoing, MLB to talk baseball. Yvars, not only Thomson, who called Yvars a in the high school and college before ever managing a game. decided to fine the Yankees a lesser talked, he sang like Joe Valachi, “traitor,” denied getting the sign game should not dismiss the idea Reportedly, MLB gave the players undisclosed amount. the notorious gangster, who in for his historic clout. “If I had of electronic cheating. Anything is immunity to encourage testimony. The fines of both teams was 1963, testified before a U.S. Senate the sign I would have hit the first possible in the contemporary high- MLB began its investigation into scheduled to be donated to hurricane Committee disclosing information pitch over the middle of the plate,” tech climate we live in. the allegations against the Astros relief efforts in Florida. about the Italian-American mafia. stated Thomson. “I don’t feel like back in November after a report Because of the Apple Watch “Herman Franks, one of our a cheat.” from The Athletic highlighted the episode, MLB had monitors or coaches, stationed himself upstairs In 1953 former scribes Fred Lieb club’s illegal sign-stealing system proxies in the video rooms for the in the center field clubhouse with and Stan Baumgartner wrote about from 2017. 2018 post season but not the regular the telescope,” revealed Yvars. an incident in The Philadelphia A’s pitcher Mike Fiers, who season. The fact that electronic “His mission was to pick-off the Phillies that occurred in an 1898 was a member of the Astros at the sign stealing was carried out in opposing catcher’s signs and relay game between the Cincinnati time, was quoted in the story, as 2018 despite Manfred’s 2017 edict, the information. I was the tip-off Reds and Philadelphia Phillies in were three other unnamed sources most likely raised the ire of the guy in the bullpen. If Herman didn’t who were inside the organization commissioner which set the tone buzz me in the bullpen, it meant a in 2017. for future violators. fastball was on the way and I did CheapBats.com Fiers said the Astros were The practice of using electronic nothing. A buzz signaled a curve 1-800-589-HITS using a camera positioned in the equipment to steal signs ball and I would toss a ball in the air outfield to detect the signs, which is prohibited. In 2000, Sandy and play catch with myself.” Order today were then relayed to hitters by Alderson, the then MLB Operations Yvars added, “Franks had to get have it tomorrow somebody banging on a trash can Chief, distributed a memo that read, in an area between the dugout and “The use of electronic equipment the clubhouse, so they knew which during a game is restricted. No pitches were coming. club shall use electronic equipment, When a sign for an off-speed including walkie-talkies and cellular

• Pitch Location Apps (Available In App Store) • Digital/Non-Digital Accountability CUSTOMIZED: Lineup Cards/Dugout Charts and MORE www.gamegrade.com • Phone: (903) 910-8488 E-Mail: [email protected] Official Chart Company Texas FAX: (903) 498-8372 H.S. Baseball Address: P.O. Box 117, Kemp, TX 75143 Coaches Assn. [email protected] Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball Moe Berg Was Ultimate U.S. Spy PRINCETON, N.J. — The most But from newspaper clippings intriguing college baseball player in and interviews, it was learned history was Moe Berg. Around The Horn that Berg’s OSS code name was The former Princeton University “Remus”. star baseball player and long-time With He reportedly once went to major league performer ultimately visit Gen. Mark Clark in Italy by OPINION became an internally known spy for submarine. Berg was involved Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. the U.S. during World War II. in a plan, never carried out, to Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. He reportedly could speak a Lou Pavlovich abduct a German physicist who was dozen languages fluently. reportedly one of the brains in the After playing at Princeton, he Nazi’s plan to develop nuclear and The Topic: enjoyed a 15-year sojourn with five other secret weapons. major league teams. Former Collegiate Baseball In-Season Bat Testing Then with the outbreak of World columnist Bill Esposito, now Each issue, Collegiate Baseball explores a major War II, his ability to speak many Berg was a thinking man, no deceased, wrote on Berg’s war- development in the world of baseball. This issue’s languages led him to a new career doubt about it. time escapades on at least two editorial explains why bat testing is vital during the as an Office of Strategic Services Once he suddenly became a occasions. season to prevent illegal bats from being used. operative during the war years. “doctor” to get himself and his “He turned out to be one of the Among his many duties was to companions out of a troubling best of them all in the OSS,” said learn all he could about Hitler’s situation. Esposito. pending nuclear bomb project so Berg and three others were flying One of Berg’s most fascinating Testing For Illegal Bats the U.S. could become the first over Asia Minor in the 1930s. capers came in Russian-held nation to perfect the weapon. With a storm approaching, the territory in Europe just prior to the Will Stop All Cheaters Berg’s OSS team was successful pilot was desperately seeking a end of the war in Japan. For the first time in history, official bat testing will take place in providing information that landing strip. When Russian soldiers asked for during the 2020 NCAA Division I regular season. allowed the U.S. to explode the But local authorities would not identification, he pulled out a letter The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee approved in-season bat first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945 permit anyone to deplane without with a large red star. testing during the summer of 2017. in New Mexico. certain health certificates. The Russians immediately But concern over the cost of universities purchasing a $1,500 The weapon helped bring World The problem was solved when backed off, realizing that they had a testing device caused the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel to War II to an end as atomic bombs “Morris Berg, MD” signed the high-level official on their hands. delay implementation of in-season bat testing to 2020 for NCAA were dropped on Hiroshima and needed certificates. It turned out to be Texaco Oil Co. Division I and 2021 for Divisions II and III. Nagasaki in Japan. As an OSS agent, he was trained stationary. And it worked. Elvis Dominguez, former chairman of the NCAA Baseball Rules His intellect went along with in all types of exotic endeavors, such After the war, Berg became Committee, said that an unusually high number of people reported his baseball successes and the as silent killing, bridge destruction, a rogue, of sorts, living off his illegal bats being used during the 2016 season which alarmed mystery surrounding his World War safecracking and how to use judo to reputation, visiting friends or members of the Rules Committee. II escapades throughout Europe to his advantage. relatives, attending Major League “I was on the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee back in 2008 make him an international attraction Princeton University files had when we began formulating plans to use the current BBCOR wherever he went. few details on his war heroics. See PRINCETON, Page 5 specification bats on the market,” said Dominguez. “Once the regulations went into effect for these bats, we thought the problem of high performance bats was over. But during the 2016 season, the Rules Committee got more calls than we ever expected on players utilizing illegal bats that had been rolled or Letters To The Editor had the barrels shaved for more trampoline effect. “In some cases, you were seeing 6-7 batters from the same team Greatest Pitch Picker Ever John Smith U.S. Tremendous story about Rob Klein in your last 17 Mockingbird Lane Mail using the exact same bat which is a telltale sign that an illegal bat Pullman, WA 99164 was being used. issue (Feb. 7, 2020). I have always been curious how the great pitch “When we got to the College World Series where bat testing was Collegiate Baseball utilized, a number of bats (20) did not pass and were taken out of pickers were able to do it beyond having the play before the CWS started. ability to see subtle changes that a pitcher might P.O. Box 50566 “Because of this, we felt it was important to test bats well before have in his wrist, fingers, glove angle and things Tucson, AZ 85703 the College World Series so the right teams made it to the playoffs of this nature. without an illegal advantage.” While he explained all of the things he looked Last summer, the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee approved for, what really surprised me was how he knew pitches were coming from watching the left ankle You can also protocols for in-season bat testing that will take place in NCAA FAX letters to Division I schools this season. of catchers during day games when the sun would the editor or Bat testing must be conducted before a team’s first game of a cast a shadow in that spot for several innings. E-Mail them: series, single games, the first game of a doubleheader and before Now that is a genius! I also could never figure out how he relayed FAX: E-Mail: the first game of a series where multiple games are played between (520) 624-5501 [email protected] several teams. pitches back to the bench from his first base Collegiate Baseball welcomes letters from Bat testing consists of two parts. coaching box without alerting the other team what readers. Letters must include the writer’s The first part, a ring test is conducted to verify the maximum he was doing. name, address and telephone number. We diameter and that the barrel is not misshapen. The procedure You had the answer to that one as well. Rob reserve the right to condense or reject any should be: said when the USC dugout was along the first base letter and to limit frequent writers. • Place the bat end cap on the ground and place the bat ring over side, he would naturally put his hands in his back pockets. Then his right hand would have certain the knob, letting it fall. find out what pitches are coming as they look at • If the ring passes over the bat from gravity alone (without signals to relay different pitches coming. If the USC dugout was along the third base side, the catcher’s sign. force), the diameter passes. Major League Baseball and owners lowered • If the bat passes through the ring, it proceeds to barrel he put his hands in front of his body and one hand would signal what the pitch would be coming. the boom on coaches who allowed this to happen compression testing. recently. They should have done the same with • If the ring does not pass over the bat, the bat is unacceptable Either way, the opposing bench would never see what he was flashing. players who did this or team personnel. That would for play and is surrendered for the duration of the game/series. have only been right. Barrel compression testing procedures are as follows: I can’t help but believe his background as a detective in the Sheriff’s Department in Los Robert Jones • Each bat will be tested approximately six inches from the end Pasadena, Calif. of the barrel. The bat then will be rotated 90 degrees and tested Angeles helped his pitch picking ability. When again. you are trained at looking at even the smallest • Bats will be tested a maximum of three times, until they receive details, it can’t hurt in the quest for being a Pitch Picking Is Wrong two passing results or two failing results, whichever comes first. picker. I realize picking pitches by coaches and players • If after two tests the bat has two passing results, the bat will He mentioned that Arizona State was petrified in the game has been done for many, many be considered approved for competition. If the bat has two failing of him during the days when Pat Murphy was the years. results, the bat will be considered unacceptable for play and coach with the Sun Devils. It’s a part of the game that makes it fun for a surrendered for the duration of the game/series. I honestly believe they thought Rob picked lot of players and coaches in the quest to have an • Bats passing both tests should be identified as approved with every pitch of every game they played against edge on their opponents. a tamper-proof sticker at the area near the bottom of the barrel just USC in those days. It was interesting what I had a coach in college who was absolutely above the handle. comments came out of that dugout. against pitch picking and felt it was wrong. More than one of their pitchers seemed to be He was a former pro baseball player and said rattled at what was going on. that if people got caught doing that in the Big In the article, Rob said that at times he never Leagues, pitchers would retaliate with a fastball UOTE had one pitch against Arizona State. But they kept in the ribs the next time he came up. If the pitcher the illusion alive by faking signs to the dugout was really mad, a fastball might be thrown at the “Q Unquote” which may have been just as effective. batter’s skull. “The qualities of a great man are vision, integrity, courage, What Rob Klein did was part of the game. It has There are numerous unwritten rules in the game understanding, the power of articulation, and profundity of been a part of baseball for over 100 years, and it is of baseball that are enforced by players every character.” one of the many reasons why I love this game. single day in pro ball. — Dwight D. Eisenhower But people should never confuse his remarkable Undoubtedly there are many more things worse ability with the cheaters of the world who have than picking pitches in baseball. “Habits are cobwebs at first…cables at last.” to resort to using monitors they see with live Josh Winthrop — Chinese Proverb television views from a centerfield camera to Sacramento, Calif. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  NJCAA Announces Princeton Star Turned Into Spy Continued From Page 4

Hall Of Fame Class games…all gratis. He lived for months on end with With Great Coaches his brother and didn’t have a job. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 1,018-449, a winning percentage Near the end, even his brother tired NJCAA Baseball Coaches of .694. of his free-loading tactics. Association has selected four Crampton was a nine-time Superb Baseball Player prominent head coaches for its recipient of the NJCAA Region XI As a Princeton freshman, he 2020 Hall of Fame clas.. Coach of the Year honor, including played at first base and led his team Walters State’s (TN) Ken a five-year consecutive stretch from to an undefeated season. Campbell and Scott Crampton 2002-07. The next year, he became the of Lamar (CO) join current head The Runnin’ Lopes set a school starting shortstop and played coaches Rick Hitt of South Florida record for wins in 2002 after brilliantly. In his senior season, he State and Charles O’Brien of Cecil Crampton guided the program to a hit .337 and helped his team to an (MD) in this year’s class. 59-5 record and a third-place finish 18-game winning streak. Almost every Major League Ken Campbell at the JUCO World Series. organization sought his services. Head Coach A member of the American Berg graduated magna cum Walters State (TN) Baseball Coaches Association Nearly half a decade within the (ABCA) since 1990, Crampton laude and almost immediately was education realm, Ken Campbell has has also served as a contributor signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers provided insight and guidance at for Coaching Digest, NMBCA, for a $5,000 bonus which was a lot both the high school and collegiate CBSCA, and as PCCA clinic in those days. His Major League career was levels. Camp- speaker. Crampton currently serves average at best. Yet he had enough bell’s know- on the Lamar Parks and Recreation talent to last 15 years in the big ledge translated Board and as an advisor and leader leagues. He played in 663 Major onto the ball for the Lamar Community College League games but only hit six home f i e l d w e l l , Fellowship of Christian Athletes. runs during that span of time. e a r n i n g a Crampton was selected to the In 1943, Berg received an offer s p o t i n t h e Colorado Dugout Hall of Fame from Nelson Rockefeller that was 2020 NJCAA in 2013. too good to pass up. B a s e b a l l A graduate of New Mexico State He suddenly retired from the Coaches Assn. University, Crampton and his wife Red Sox and became coordinator Hall of Fame Anne-Marie have two children, of the Office of Inter-American with 650 wins. Katie and Brent. Affairs which subsequently led to C a m p b e l l Rick Hitt his association with the OSS. KEN CAMPBELL served as head Head Coach Moe Berg played Big League baseball for 15 years. coach of Walters State from 1999- South Florida State 2013, a stretch that includes success Known throughout NJCAA at the highest level. Baseball, Rick Hitt’s service as both Miracle League mentor. O’Brien has three-times been ABCA, the USA National Team, Campbell’s 2006 program a coach and Hitt and his wife Jayma have named the Maryland Junior College Olympic teams, and the Pan-Am captured the JUCO World Series leader garners two daughters, Sydney Linn and Conference Baseball Coach of Games. title and earned NJCAA Coach NJCAA Base- Cassidy Jay. the Year, a three-time recipient From 2008-13, O’Brien of the Year honors for the team’s ball Coaches Charles O’Brien of the NJCAA was selected as the Maryland success. Association Head Coach R e g i o n X X Junior College Baseball Coaches Campbell was a nine-time regular Hall of Fame Cecil (MD) Coach of the Association President. season conference champion to honors. Charles O’Brien’s presence in the Year, and the A previous Tech Prep Coordinator coincide with nine conference Head coach state of Maryland goes far beyond 2011 NJCAA on the academic side of Cecil’s coach of the year honors. a t S o u t h the chalk lines on the baseball field. N o r t h e a s t campus, O’Brien currently serves The Senators claimed six Florida State With over 20 years of NJCAA District Coach as an Academic Advisor. tournament championships and since 1998, coaching experience, O’Brien joins of the Year. O’Brien has given back to the earned five JUCO World Series Hitt’s coaching the prestigious NJCAA Baseball O’Brien’s community through numerous berths, including a final run in RICK HITT tenure spans Coaches Association Hall of c o a c h i n g avenues, including as a volunteer 2013. 31 years at multiple levels of Fame. k n o w l e d g e coach in the Maryland Little Campbell’s teams were twice competition. Head coach at Cecil since 1997, has impacted League. named NJCAA Sportsmanship Prior to the start of the 2019 O’Brien has accumulated 586 wins s t u d e n t - O’Brien is married to his wife of Award winners. season, Hitt has recorded 562 career to go along with 136 victories CHARLES O’BRIEN athletes far 26 years, Lynn. For his accolades within wins, one of the winningest coaches during a five-year stint at Keystone beyond Cecil’s campus. O’Brien The two have three children Tennessee junior college baseball, in Florida history. Junior College. has also committed time to the – Charles Jr., Katie, and Patrick. Campbell was named to the Hitt has helped evolve the game Tennesee Junior and Community on the national level, serving as College Hall of Fame in 2010. a coach for the NJCAA National Along with success at the junior Team on six different occasions. Outfi t Your Dugout With Major League-Style college level, Campbell spent 15 Hitt’s passion for expanding the years as a teacher and coach at Eau junior college baseball scene landed Benches, Helmet & Bat Racks Gallie High School in Florida and the Sebring, FL native numerous East Tennessee State University appointments to national committee from 1989-1999. and chair positions. A profound athlete growing Hitt’s resume includes positions up, Campbell was one of the as the NJCAA Region 8 Assistant first student-athletes to earn a Men’s Director, current Florida scholarship to play baseball at East College System Activities Tennessee State where he spent four Association (FCSAA) Baseball years as a star infielder. Chairperson, NJCAA Baseball Campbell has one son, Mike, Coaches Association President, a step son, Gene, along with two NJCAA All-America Committee, grandchildren Kevin and Ashlee. and the American Baseball Coaches Scott Crampton Association (ABCA) Executive Head Coach Committee. Lamar (CO) Hitt’s presence with the ABCA Scott Crampton arrived on also led to the appointment with the campus at Lamar in 1993 and ABCA Presidency Advancement, r e v i v e d a only the third NJCAA coach to p r o g r a m claim that status. t h a t h a d While Hitt’s coaching career experienced garners Hall of Fame recognition, shortcomings his NJCAA career began as a for many years student-athlete at Santa Fe (FL) prior. Twenty where he was inducted into the five years and Saints’ Hall of Fame as part of the o v e r 1 , 0 0 0 program’s 1985 State Championship wins later, he team and third-place finish at the Tarps • Wall Pads • Rail Pads • Windscreen • Netting joins exclusive JUCO World Series. company in Hitt is also a member of the Contact: Dave Payton SCOTT CRAMPTON the 2020 class FCSAA Hall of Fame. Bridgeview, Illinois of the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Off the field, Hitt’s commitment Association Hall of Fame. to serving others includes President Cell Phone: (708) 846-4119 Crampton, who retired in 2018, of the Kim Gose Cancer Research accumulated a career record of Foundation, ALS volunteer, and www.pytsports.net Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Ethics In Baseball Some Coaches Will Resort To Any Tactic If It Means A Victory By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. according to Abe Chanin, former Editor/Collegiate Baseball sports editor of the Star as recalled in the book They Fought Like LOS ANGELES — Ethics in Wildcats. baseball is a hot topic now. Arizona Coach Frank Sancet was Is it ethical to teach batters to visibly upset after the calls started purposely get hit by pitches? coming in because he apparently Should coaches allow batters to received calls from the University wear wet suits used in ocean diving of Arizona president and other top so batters won’t get bruised up after UA officials. purposely being hit by pitchers or “You should have heard the calls special arm and ankle protection? I got,” Sancet recalled. Or what about batters faking a “They told me I was the dirtiest hit by pitch? coach there ever was, and what was Is it ethical to doctor playing I doing teaching that boy that kind fields so the home team has an of thing? unfair advantage or is this part of “Listen, they just don’t the game tolerated? understand the game. And you can There also is the question of believe me, I never would have whether stealing signs is proper forfeited the game.” or not. Arizona eventually finished The vast majority of coaches feel second at the College World Series it is perfectly acceptable as long that year as Minnesota won the title as nobody uses a monitor to view game, 12-1. the video feed from the centerfield Sign Stealing camera which captures the signs of Stealing signs from catchers a catcher as that team relays what is typically fine if it is done by pitches are coming to hitters. batter bunts the ball toward the Old ‘Potato Gag’ scattered to avoid the “wild throw.” baseball players and coaches who Almost everyone in the game first baseman as the runner on third Here’s another questionable play Everyone inside the Miami dugout are at legal positions (dugout, looks down on coaches who order breaks for home. which was used to score a run. yelled, “Go! Go! Go!. coaching boxes or bullpen). pitchers to purposely throw at If the bunt is successful, the only The old “potato gag” has been Unfortunately for Stephenson, Anything else is cheating. batters. option is to throw the batter/runner used throughout the history of who was now off toward second Collegiate Baseball ran in But what about the coach who out at first base as the second baseball from time to time with base, it was a play choreographed in-depth story on Rob Klein, directs his pitcher to throw at baseman covers. great success. to get an out by Miami. considered the greatest pitch picker the home plate umpire and has With a normal 2-man umpire As the runner at third base takes “I looked back and saw the and sign stealer in baseball history, the catcher duck in an effort to crew which works the vast majority his lead toward home plate, the first baseman diving,” explained in the Feb. 7 edition. physically hurt the umpire? of college baseball games, the home catcher jumps out of his crouch Stephenson. He explained every secret he had That actually happened in a plate umpire positions himself for after receiving the pitch and throws “I also saw the second baseman when it came to picking pitches college game years ago. the potential play at home while the a potato over the third baseman’s running toward the rightfield and stealing signs in addition to The game of baseball has other umpire, initially positioned head. bullpen, and pitchers in the bullpen explaining how to signaled in signs been full of controversial ethics near second base, runs toward first The runner, who usually is diving scattered as if a ball was coming to the dugout so someone there questions through the years and base for the potential play there. head first into the bag or running toward them. could let hitters know what pitches rarely discussed in an open forum. Neither umpire is watching the back to the bag, usually doesn’t “I assumed the ball must have were coming. Some coaches relish the idea of second base runner. pay close attention to whether it is got stuck in the screen or under a Binoculars often are a common winning, ethics be damned. Then While the play is unfolding, the actually a baseball or not. chair.” piece of equipment in a bullpen, there are others who do everything runner from second base takes off Once he sees the projectile going As Stephenson took off for particularly if it allows the player to by the book and refuse to succumb for third and then takes a shortcut over the third baseman’s head, he second, Miami pitcher Kasprzak steal a catcher’s pitching signs. to the pressure of winning at all inside of the third base bag and then takes off toward home believing he took the ball from his glove and When Al Lopez managed the costs. runs down the third base line and will score easily. tossed it to shortstop Billy Wrona Chicago White Sox, he had the club While many coaches have scores easily. As the runner nears home, the who tagged the surprised and purchase a World War II submarine commented about ethics in He doesn’t come within 10 feet catcher pulls the game ball out and flabbergasted Stephenson. periscope from a war surplus store baseball, possibly the best answer of touching third base. tags him out. Pandemonium reigned as Wichita and installed it in the Comiskey ever given was by the late John If you are the victim of such a A heated argument with the State coaches and players protested Park scoreboard. Scolinos who led Cal Poly Pomona play, you call the play unethical umpire usually erupts over the to no avail. He then designated a person to to three national championships and are screaming bloody murder legality of the play. Batter Interference man the periscope with a direct look and posted 1,198 wins in 44 years into the catcher making his signs to the umpire. Greatest Sting Operation From time to time, coaches of coaching. Unfortunately, neither umpire and to the pitcher. “I have always been amazed Unquestionably the best sting instruct batters to let the force of saw the runner cheat. operation ever pulled in college their swing take them over the plate Then he would relay the at what coaches will think of information by phone to the Another Unethical Play baseball history was during the to obstruct the catcher throwing a next,” said Scolinos to Collegiate dugout. Baseball. Another diabolical play took 1982 College World Series between ball to a base a runner is trying to place in Southern California in Miami (Fla.) and Wichita St. steal. Former Northern Colorado “Regardless of the score, you University Head Coach Tom Petroff must keep your poise. When you 1981. The Hurricanes had just taken Some hitters are also taught to With the score tied 4-4 going into a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth. step backward so they can hit the wrote a fabulous book called lose your poise, some coaches Baseball Signs And Signals. revert to cheating to win. And this the bottom of the ninth, the win at Wichita State came to bat and Phil catcher’s glove with their bat. all cost coach flashed the sign to Stephenson, the nation’s top base Both moves are highly It pointed out that the man who jeopardizes the team. is credited with starting the sign- “It makes college baseball look his runner at second base and batter stealer, walked. unethical. who had been in a terrible slump He had stolen 86 bases in 91 stealing business was an outfielder bad. College baseball should be Faking Being Hit named Dan Murphy who couldn’t kept at a high level. with two outs. attempts that season. Everyone At the 1956 College World Series, As the pitcher went into his knew he would be running. make it with the Philadelphia A’s “But to be honest, baseball Arizona beat New Hampshire, nearly a century ago. coaches are outstanding men, for windup, the runner at second took Stephenson took a big lead off 1-0. off for third. first. A’s Manager Connie Mack put crying out loud. Wildcat first baseman Harry him on a rooftop across the street “However, when I hear about When the pitch came off the A quick throw by pitcher Mike Messick was hit by a pitched pitcher’s fingers, the batter loaded Kasprzak saw Stephenson dive from the A’s ball park and gave him unethical conduct by coaches who ball and awarded first base. He a pair of binoculars. instruct their pitchers to throw at up and took a mighty swing. back into first, safely. eventually moved to third. Then he His bat purposely was let go After a pitch to the batter, then Within two innings, he could the home plate umpire while the scored the only run of the game on decode the catcher’s signals and catcher ducks or things of this in the direction of the third base another throw to first took place a suicide squeeze bunt by reserve bag which the third baseman was with Stephenson again diving back flashed the upcoming pitches either nature, it upsets me. catcher Glen Festin. by cross-arm signals or by twirling a “I don’t give a kick how much moving toward since the runner was safety. After the game, Lou Pavlovich, trying to steal third. The phantom pickoff play was weather vane in opposite directions anyone hates an umpire. When a Sr., a reporter for The Arizona Daily depending on whether pitches were coach has a pitcher purposely throw The catcher received the pitch then put in motion. Star and publisher of Collegiate and gunned the ball to third base Kasprzak, standing behind the fastballs or curves. at the home plate umpire and also Baseball for many years, learned In the summer of 1990 during orders his catcher to duck, that is in an attempt to throw the base pitching rubber, made a quick from Messick that the so-called hit runner out. motion to first as if he had thrown the World Junior Championships premeditated murder. by pitch never took place. In fact, in Havana, Cuba, sign stealing was “All coaches should establish What was the third baseman the ball. the ball never touched him, and to do? But the ball was still in his a factor. proper ethical conduct.” Messick faked an injury to his arm Cuban television cameramen He not only had a runner and ball glove. to get on base. Unusual ‘Double Squeeze’ coming at him, but a flying projectile Again, Stephenson dove back to positioned themselves in left From time to time, coaches have After the story appeared the centerfield beyond the home run in the form of an aluminum bat. first. But this time, first baseman next morning in the Star, the been guilty of teaching runners to He did the only logical thing Steve Lusby of Miami dove over fence. purposely not touch third base on switchboard at the newspaper and The camera operator focused in which was to get out of the way of Stephenson’s outstretched legs, at the University of Arizona lit up a special play so the runner will be the aluminum bat as the ball sailed going after the “wild throw.” on the U.S. catcher’s signs. safe at home. like a Christmas tree. Two men dressed in red shirts into left field as the runner scored It was an Academy Award More than 1,000 calls came Here is how it works. easily. performance. standing by the television camera With runners on second and in with most of them demanding relayed signals to Cuban batters Talk about a highly unethical The Miami bullpen along the first Arizona forfeit the game because third and less than two outs, the play, this was a doozy. base line at old Rosenblatt Stadium which let them know which pitches of the “unsportsmanlike” act, were coming. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Cal Poly Receives $1 Million Gift From Bill Hoffman SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. Most Wins Over 10 Years combined 94 years (Phil McCowen, Strong Season Opener on an interim basis for the 2020 — Cal Poly announced a $1 million It’s been quite a decade for Jeff Rodgers, Steve Woytek, and University of the Ozarks starting season. gift from Bill Hoffman for the final Colorado Mesa. Sean McKinney). pitcher David Beck went the Lawler has a vast history of phase of a four-year project to According to the NCAA Baseball Hanks enters his 27th year at distance in a masterful performance baseball experience, most recently upgrade Baggett Stadium. Record Book, the Mavericks posted CMU, 22 as head coach. as the Eagles took a 1-0 win against as the pitching coach for the The gift jumpstarts a group of the nation’s most wins in NCAA During his tenure, the Mavericks Austin College in the season Wareham Gatemen of the Cape improvements at Baggett Stadium, Div. II from 2010-2019 at 440- have posted a record of 884-356 opener. Cod League. Former Pepperdine including an improved entrance 143. and have won 15 RMAC Titles, The right-handed threw a seven- pitchers Easton Lucas (2019) and to Baggett Stadium and Bob During that decade, Colorado appeared in 17 NCAA Regional inning complete game and allowed Ryan Wilson (2018) pitched under Janssen Field, a new ticket booth, Mesa was one of only two schools Tournaments, four NCAA Regional just three hits. Beck fanned seven Lawler in college baseball’s most renovations to the baseball press to qualify for the NCAA Division II Championships and four NCAA and did not allow a walk. prestigious summer league. College World Series appearances Prior to coaching on the Cape, box, chair back seating, batter’s eye tournament all 10 years, while also Hitters Walk 15 Times and other cosmetic enhancements. appearing in the NCAA National with two national runner-up Tampa tied a school record when Lawler was the head coach at the “We are so appreciative of Mr. Championships three times. finishes. batters walked 15 times during a University of Arkansas at Little Hoffman’s generous gift which Two of those years culminated in Associate Head Coach Sean Rock. th 9-inning game against Post. will be used toward the continued national runner-up finishes in 2014 McKinney enters his 12 season The old mark was set during Before signing on with Little improvement of Baggett Stadium,” and 2019. The Mavericks own a 29- with the Mavericks. the 1992 season against Florida Rock, Lawler was an assistant said Mustang head coach Larry 22 record in the NCAA tournament Assistant Coach Steve Memorial. coach at Texas A&M from 1985- during that time span. Woytek enters his 20th year with 2004. He was the assistant head CMU enters the 2020 campaign the Mavericks . For the past 21 14 Homers In 7 Games coach from 1989 until 2004. College Notes having won eight consecutive Rocky years, Jeff Rodgers has guided the USC Lancaster leads NJCAA Division I teams in home runs with Strong Season Opener Lee. Mountain Athletic Conference Mavericks’ pitching staff 14 in 7 games. University of the Ozarks’ “Among the many projects (RMAC) titles and a program best Longtime volunteer assistant starting pitcher David Beck th The team is averaging 8.1 runs aimed at the overall improvement 53 wins in 2019. coach Phil McCowen enters his 35 per game. went the distance in a masterful of Baggett Stadium are refurbishing “I am so proud of our program’s year with the program and works performance as the Eagles took a the entry way into the stadium, success over the last decade,” CMU with the Maverick outfielders and Walk-Off Homer 1-0 win against Austin College in upgrading the press box, replacing head coach Chris Hanks said. throws batting practice. Zach Diewert of Florida Southern the season opener. field sideline fencing, and renovation “We have had some incredible Great Outing belted a walk-off homer in the 10th The right-handed threw a seven- of the field level backstop.” student-athletes compete for us who Sophomore RHP Brennan inning to cap off a dramatic 6-5 inning complete game and allowed Hoffman, from Newport Beach, have represented our program and Crooms of Georgia College had a comeback win over West Florida. just three hits. Beck fanned seven Calif., attended Cal Poly from university with class and incredible superb outing in his first start of the The Moccasins benefitted from and did not allow a walk. 1952-54, then completed his degree commitment to our culture and home runs from Alan Burnsed, season against defending national Hitters Walk 15 Times in 1956 at Oregon State. He has a each other. Our coaching staff Kyler Marquis, Santino Miozzi champion Tampa. Tampa tied a school record when passion for baseball, is a life-long has remained unchanged during and Diewert to overcome an early He fired six shutout innings and batters walked 15 times during a Los Angeles Dodgers fan and this time and that continuity has 5-0 lead. allowed two hits, a walk and struck 9-inning game against Post. has become a big fan of Cal Poly cultivated our high standards and out four. Lawler Named At Pepperdine The old mark was set during athletics. His career included time maintained our expectations.” In his six innings of work, he Jim Lawler has been named the the 1992 season against Florida as a commercial pilot, avocado Hanks’ staff includes four coaches allowed only one Tampa player to new pitching coach at Pepperdine Memorial. rancher and investor. that have been at the university for a reach second base. College Coaches Identify 3 Vital Evaluation Operatives In Recruiting By TOM KOVIC coaches with sport evaluations. should make every effort to offer and their tactics with recruiting Special To Collegiate Baseball Furthermore, recruiting candidates the college coaches with a glimpse will bolster your recruiting plan must embrace a proactive effort into your distinct core. significantly. CHADDS FORD, Pa. — when helping coaches evaluate Personal integrity and inherent College coaches use 3 evaluation Recruiting is essential for every your athleticism. leadership qualities you bring to the operatives when identifying college coach, and the aim is  Highlight and competition table can be a game-changer. prospects. simple. video should be clean and present In addition, your club coach Present yourself as a well- Fill position gaps on the team accurate and concrete skill-set at the can step up and engage the college rounded, dedicated prospect and with stronger talent than the year highest level. coaches directly. add a unique touch that helps engage before.  Attend ID camps and Both coaches speak and college coaches on a personal level. Therefore, most college coaches showcases and communicate understand a common language Do this and you will give yourself have identified 3 evaluation precise event details with the regarding team dynamics. the best opportunity to maximize operatives to reach that end. college coaches. Understanding college coaches your college recruiting effort. Identify, recruit and retain strong The Search For College  In addition, college prospect students, impact athletes and those camps are ideal if you have narrowed prospects that bring leadership information. They will require down your A list of colleges. qualities to the team. academic transcripts, standardized You not only can make an The Ultimate Hitting Aid Furthermore, the college athletics test results and a copy of the high unofficial visit, but you are also recruiting process has evolved into school profile to determine your guaranteed an on-site evaluation a new and intricate level. academic baseline. from the coaches representing one ™ The volume of e-mails, phone Furthermore, register with the of your top colleges. RADAR TEE NCAA Eligibility Center and calls and texts increases daily. Leadership Qualities College coaches work diligently to share your PIN with the college Academic and athletic “Best Of Show” develop and implement seamless coaches. evaluations are time-consuming but Award Winner filtering systems to maximize Impact Athletes relatively more straightforward for at 2016 American Baseball Coaches recruiting. And you can help Equally important, college college coaches to accomplish. them. Association coaches want to evaluate raw Identifying potential “strong Convention Strong Students athletic talent that will strengthen links in the team chain” requires College coaches embrace the program. There are several experience and unique talent. strong students as part of the three ways prospects can assist college Prospective student-athletes evaluation operatives. 1. First and most important, prospective student-athletes need to meet minimum academic standards that have been established by the NCAA. Every prospect who is looking to play college sport at Division 1 or 2 levels must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. 2. College coaches are tasked to win. To experience winning Optimize your swing efficiency to maximize ball seasons, coaches need to train exit velocity. Measure both with the RADAR TEE! their athletes at very high levels. Student-athletes who are struggling • Maximize ball exit velocity by optimizing swing speed in the classroom will likely struggle and efficient energy transfer to the ball. in every other area of their life. • Train to hit hard line drives. 3. Those coaches who represent • Develop bat control and directivity to hit balls into gaps. academically select colleges recruit • Swing in an optimum plane for best hard contact probability. • Proudly made in the USA. prospects as students first. They “Showcasing South Carolina’s Finest In High School Baseball” must. A 5-star prospect, who brings strong athletic talent to March 5-8, 2020 at Mike Johnson Park the recruiting table, but lacks the Visit us on the web: www.ipclassic.com academic qualifications, will not help the program. Facebook: IPClassic Twitter: @IPClassic A sound strategy for prospects that Participants are: A.C. Flora, Boiling Springs, Chapin, Fort (888) 542-9246 will assist the college coaches with Dorchester, Fort Mill, Georgetown, Greenville and South Aiken. www.sportssensors.com academic evaluation is to provide Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Works Of Art Produced By Iowa’s Jack Dreyer Continued From Page 1 “My eventual goal is to have a cube company either pay me to cubes out there currently. It is just make murals or supply free cubes as a name brand. long as their company is publicized. “So I reached out to different In a perfect world, I would like to vendors online and found the have more cubes so the murals can best price for a bulk order of 720 be larger. cubes from a company called The “The bigger they are, the more Cubicle. I don’t tell people what I detailed they can be with the faces. paid for that order. Every time I tweet one of the “But it was under $2,000. The murals I make, I try to find profiles order was shipped in 13 different of people or businesses that will boxes. Unfortunately, there was re-tweet it to a larger audience. I a problem. On each cube was a don’t care about becoming famous sticker of the brand covering one of or anything like that. But it would the colors. So I had to individually be great if the people I am creating peel off each logo on all 720 cubes with cubes actually see what I which took a lot of time.” made.” Dreyer has designed and Making First Mosiac Mural At this point, he turned his constructed murals of Elon Musk, attention to making his very first Dallas Cowboys’ running back mural which was difficult since he Ezekiel Elliott, actor Will Smith only had six colors to work with and as well as Iowa football coach had never done it before. Kirk Ferentz and Dave Portnoy, “The first mural I did was highly President of Barstool Sports. experimental. I tried to copy the “I also have a design to make techniques by an artist who made a mural of Iowa basketball coach them for a living. I wasn’t sure Fran McCaffery. But I haven’t how to design murals on my own constructed it yet. My goal with initially. So it was a great learning that is to build it during an actual experience as I made Albert Einstein basketball game. As people walk and then the rapper Logic. by, people can see my process. “I got pretty good at the process Over time, there would be a time of building the mural layer by lapse of the entire process so they layer, but it was challenging. Each could show it on the screen in the cube must have specific colors in arena.” different areas. So I would have Designing Process to twist and turn each cube into Dreyer said the size of his murals the perfect colors of each spot in are typically 4 1/2 feet wide by 6 the mural. feet tall which are built on a vertical “After that, I made my own stand that he constructed. murals. There are at least two guys “For the design process, I use who do this that I follow. One guy several different Apps on my does this for his job. He creates phone,” said Dreyer. these very lifelike portraits and “I have looked at several different murals of people and sells them websites that help me improve what for several thousand dollars each. the murals will look like. Initially, That’s his career. I would take a picture that I saw Jack Dreyer constructed this mural of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz. “Another guy who I have been and liked. Then I would change in contact with has been extremely the photo to the same number of 90 pixels tall (30 cubes high x 3 I carefully change each color so I use to improve the mural. Then I helpful. He has been generous with pixels that would be in a mural (72 stickers high in each cube). the finished mural will realistically make changes. his time sharing his process. He pixels wide which is 24 cubes wide “Then there is an App I use to look like a person.” “At that point, I am ready to does it as a hobby as I do. x 3 stickers wide in each cube) and change each individual pixel color. The biggest problem he has with build the mural completely flat murals is that he is limited to only on my vertical stand. It ultimately six colors. is an image of 720 total cubes. The American Academy of Because of the cost of these cubes, Opthalmology states that the visible I can’t afford to keep each mural as color spectrum for humans is about they are done. So I take photos of 10 million. the finished mural from different “Really it is only five colors I angles and different lighting. have to work with because it is “Then I take all the cubes down difficult to use green in a mural and start designing the next one. and doesn’t look natural on a face. “To give you an idea of the total I am essentially limited to yellow, time spent on one of my murals, it white, orange, red and blue to make may take 4-6 hours to design it. the murals. “The actual building of it only “Since red, white and blue are takes 3-4 hours since I have a three of the main colors, I thought template where every cube will go. of the Obama Hope Poster back Then it is just a matter of turning when he was campaigning for the cube so each of the nine squares office. If you go online, there is on the upward facing side has the a website called Obama Poster right colors. Maker. “As long as I am not getting “You can import any image you distracted by my roommates or have, and it will turn it into that anything else, I can typically get the style of poster in red, white and build done within four hours.” blue.” Dreyer said that he can rotate The next step is converting the each cube quickly so the precise carefully prepared image into this colors he wants are in each of the program, make subtle adjustments nine sectors on one side. and make the image as sharp as “When you have done it possible. thousands of times, eventually “The final step is to put the image you become fast at changing them in a third App. That lets me change to the colors you want. There are large groups of pixels together so certain patterns you memorize that I can get some definition on cheek allow you to get those colors in bones of faces. short order.” “The change in color goes from So far, he has not sold any of lighter to darker and typically goes the prints he has made from his from white to yellow to orange to murals. But the future holds great red. I also try to refine the lips, ears promise. or eyes. “Ideally, I would like to create a “Once I have everything together mural that can be shown at Kinnick in that App and am comfortable (football) Stadium at the University with it, I send the image to several of Iowa that could raise money if it friends and have them critique it. was sold. Some friends are too nice and say If people are interested in hiring it looks good. Others are more Dreyer to do a mural, he can be realistic with their comments which reached at [email protected] This mural was made of Dave Portnoy, President of Barstool Sports. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  High School More Elite High School Teams Featured TUCSON, Ariz. — The following city championships, but returns includes three top pitchers in SS/P 12 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI), Cole Carrigg that team. They will be deep on is a state-by-state rundown of high 14 experienced players from that Jordon Thompson (LSU), SS/P (San Diego State), RHP Andy Owen the mound and have strong hitting school teams to watch across the team. Leading the team are 3B Luke Alonzo Richardson (San Diego (USC) and LHP Clay Longinotti. and speed. They are led by 1B country. Boulanger (.427, 11 2B, 27 RBI), State) and P Thomas Caneday Also: Thousand Oaks, Santa Jack Moss (.490, 13 2B, 31 RBI), Not included in this list are the SS Isaiah Morales (.394, 10 2B, 14 (Nevada). Turlock (22-1) returns 9 Margarita, Vacaville, Eastlake CF Tyler Robinson (.321, 3 2B, 12 seniors and one junior from a team teams that were selected in our RBI, 7 SB) and UT Kai Castillas Colorado RBI, 4 SB), C Nick Esquivel (.242, Pre-Season Top 30 Poll presented (.312, 5 2B, 17 RBI). that lost in the second round of the Cherry Creek (23-9) finished 2 2B), 2B Ben Perlin (.493, 7 3B, by Diamond Pro. Helix Charter (22-13) returns playoffs. The Bulldogs are led by as the state 5A runners-up last For information on those teams, 8 starters from last season that C Tyler Soderstrom (UCLA, .450, season and returns 10 players from See STATE-BY, Page 10 see the January 24, 2020 edition of Collegiate Baseball. Alabama Hoover (30-13) returns a mostly senior laden team that won the regional championship last year. With juniors stepping up, the team should have good depth in the lineup. Top players include OF Robby Ashford, UT Colson Lawrence and 1B/OF Evan Radford. Fairhope (25-14) expects to advance to the state playoffs this season with 14 returning players who gained a lot of experience last season. Leading the team are junior P Keaton Fuller (5-1, 4 SV, 1.41 ERA, 36 K) and sophomore 1B Micah Morgan (.361, 8 2B, 2 HR, 25 RBI). Hewitt Trussville (33-9) has 7 returning starters who finished last season in the 7A state semi-finals. They are led by 2B Tyler Mauldin (Northwest Florida State, .301, 9 2B, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 14 SB), RHP Michael Fowler (LSU, 7-2, 1.64 ERA, 108 K), junior RHP Skyler Jones (4-0, 1.68 ERA, 55 K) and OF Kerrigan Edmonson (Alabama State, .308, 12 2B, 29 RBI, 16 SB). Also: Smiths Station, Cullman, Faith Academy, Russell County Alaska Wasilla Arizona Mountain Pointe, Corona del Sol, Brophy, Nogales, Mountain Ridge Arkansas Cabot (23-6) returns an Big League Chew was invented by Rob Nelson, a former Cornell experienced team of 11 seniors and 3 juniors that has the potential University lefthander who was pitching in Oregon in 1977 for the to go deep in the state tournament. Leading the team will be OF fabled Portland Mavericks when he came up with the idea for a new Houston King (.442, 12 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 11 SB) and OF Clayton type of bubble gum. Gray (.427, 6 2B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 12 SB). Also: Bryant, Fayetteville, Bentonville Rob was literally sitting in the Portland bullpen, watching his team- California Cypress (31-3) returns four mates chewing other less salubrious stuff, when he thought that starters and last year’s No. 2 pitcher. They play in a tough division and shredded bubble gum would be a much more fun option. it will be hard to repeat last year’s title run. Top returners include LHP/1B Brett Wozniak (Kansas State, 11-0, 1.22 ERA, 57 K, .384, Rob shared the idea with Mav teammate Jim Bouton who liked the 8 2B, 19 RBI), 3B/OF Noah Carter (CS Fullerton), OF/1B Peter Werth concept so much he spent the next two years searching for a gum (Texas Christian) and sophomore C/RHP Luke Davis. De La Sale company to manufacture and distribute Big League Chew. He (29-1) returns 6 starters from last year’s North Coast Section Division succeeded, and BLC quickly became the must-have bubble gum for 1 championship team. Leading ballplayers in the littlest leagues to the Big Leagues. the team are seniors P/1B Kyle Harrison (UCLA, 10-0 1.26 ERA, 103 K) and SS Vincent Bianchina (Northwestern, .419, 17 2B). Today, over 40 years later, Big League Chew is the #1-selling Aliso Niguel (28-5) returns 6 starters from a team that advanced shredded bubble gum in the world — with over 800 million pouches to the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs. The team will be led by sold. It is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum of Akron, New York. 5 players who have committed to D1 schools — 3B/RHP Michael Davinni (San Diego, .373, 5 2B, 7 ™ HR, 24 RBI), SS/2B Noah Sudyka (UC San Diego), SS/2B Kevin BIG LEAGUE CHEW® AMERICA’S BUBBLE GUM Fitzer (CSU Northridge), RHP/C Nick Hanson (Wagner) and Andrew Coaches Discount now available at bigleaguechew.com Standen (NJ Tech). Venice (13- 22) lost in the quarterfinals of the Page 10 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 State-By-State List Of Top High Schools Named Continued From Page 9 7 SB) and OF Wood Barks (.354, 6 top teams in the state this season, 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB). led by UT Slade Wilks (.400, 10 2B, 25 RBI, 9 SB), and 3B Clay Cutler Blessed Trinity (31-9) was 12 HR, 30 RBI, 12 SB, 3.00 ERA, (.400, 5 2B, 3 3B, 23 RBI). Also: state semi-finalists last season and 45 K), LHP/OF Tate Duncan (2.50 Regis Jesuit, Mountain Vista, returns 13 players from that team, ERA, 50 K), RHP Kyle Herring Heritage most are juniors. The main strength (2.00 ERA, 40 K) and UT Ras Pace will be pitching, led by junior RHP/ Battle (.295, 5 2B, 5 HR, 10 SB). Also: Connecticut Amity, Staples, Waterford, St. 1B DJ Radtke (8-1, 2.46 ERA) and Oak Grove, Brandon, Tupelo Joseph, Daniel Hand senior RHP Dominik Marcoccio Missouri (Wofford, 1-1, 3 SV, 2.47 ERA). Delaware Francis Howell (18-19) has Houston County (24-12) advanced For only two seniors returning, but 7 A p p o q u i n m i n k , C a p e to the Elite 8 in the state playoffs Henlopen, Caravel Academy experienced juniors are coming last season and returns 9 starters back. Leading the team are senior Florida from that team. Pitching will be the 1B/P Matt Schark (Jefferson Calvary Christian Academy- team’s main strength, led by LHP College, .402, 14 2B, 5 HR, 28 Ft. Lauderdale (25-5) returns 8 Jaden Woods (9-2, 1.12 ERA, 87 RBI), juniors 3B/P Matt James starters from a team that finished K), juniors RHP Brodie Chestnutt (.413, 21 RBI, 3-1, 2.77 ERA, 27 in the Final Four of Florida’s 4A (9-3, 1.65 ERA, 103 K) and RHP K), SS/P Carson Subbert, UT/P division. They should have a very Coleman Willis (3-1, 3.5 ERA, Sam Maddox and UT Will Doherty. good defense and pitching. Leading 28 K). Also: Tattnall Square # Also: Lafayette, Staley, Christian the Eagles are seniors SS Dante Academy, Buford, Pope Brothers, Lee’s Summit West, Girardi, OF Kyle Tako and C/UT Hawaii Willard Kishon Frett. Calvary Christian- Punahou, Waiakea, St. Louis, Nebraska Clearwater (26-4) has a solid core Hilo of 12 players returning from the 4A Elkhorn, Millard South, state championship team. Pitching Idaho Elkhorn South, Creighton Prep, will need to develop, but the offense Rocky Mountain, Eagle, Millard North should be strong led by seniors C Bonneville Nevada Pierce Chambers (.436, 5 2B, 3 HR, Illinois Desert Oasis, Palo Verde, 28 RBI), SS Vince Smith (.315, 11 St. Laurence (35-6) was Basic, Reno, Bishop Gorman 2B, 2 HR, 23 RBI), CF Sam Gorden runners-up in Illinois’ 3A division New Jersey (.422, 5 2B, 3 HR) and junior 3B and returns most of the pitching Gloucester Catholic (21-6) Tommy White (.426, 13 2B, 4 HR, staff, two key infielders and two 1 finished last season as the South 36 RBI). outfielders. Leading the pitching Jersey Parochial B champions and Spruce Creek (23-3) returns 12 staff is RHP Matt Zahora (9-0, 1.60, returns 8 starters from that team experienced players with hitters 59 K). His nine wins last season all including three top pitchers in who have good speed and an came against Top 25 teams in the Saint Thomas Aquinas (21-4) championship. With a solid lineup Anthony Solomato (North Carolina, experienced pitching staff that state. Providence Catholic (23-16) finished as the 5A state runners-up and good depth on the pitching 1.32 ERA, 64 K), Tyler Parks can go deep into games. Nine has an experienced team returning and returns 8 starters. The only staff, they hope to compete for (UNC-Charlotte, 3.82 ERA, 27 K) players have signed or committed that advanced to the Final 16 of the question mark is pitching. Top a state title. Top players include and Mike Racobovlo (Iona, 0.35 to college. Top returners include OF state playoffs last year. Defense, players include 3B Kendall Diggs 3B/C Antonio Barrance (.374, 8 ERA, 36 K). Also: Delbarton, St. Zach Veen (Florida, .395, 9 2B, 34 offense and a deep pitching staff are (.559, 11 2B, 5 3B, 41 RBI), 2B 2B, 4 HR, 31 RBI), OF Sami Khan Augustine Prep, Don Bosco Prep, RBI, 32 SB), RHP Zach Bennett all strengths. Top players include Blake Anderson (.464, 15 RBI, 15 (.382, 3 2B, 15 RBI), junior SS/P Red Bank, North Hunterdon (Central Florida, 9-1, 0.13 ERA, 54 seniors INF/RHP Ben Vitas, OF/ SB), SS Nick Goodwin (.387, 3 Alex Khan (.356, 3 2B, 19 RBI) and K), RHP Preston Weatherell, INF New Mexico RHP Ryan Manikowski, INF Jake 3B, 1 HR) and C/1B Ivan Brethowr sophomore C Lamar King (.256, Camden Traficante (Steteson, .295, Volcano Vista, La Cueva, Rio Mucha and INF Jake Hesselmann. (.302, 2 HR, 20 RBI). Lawrence 2 2B, 5 RBI). Also: DeMatha 6 2B, 19 RBI, 11 SB), INF Evan Rancho Westmont (21-13) finished in the Free State (21-4) was the 6A Catholic, Archbishop Spalding Mastromuaro (.356, 10 RBI, 15 top 5 teams in the state last season runners-up last season and returns New York SB) and INF Sal Grinstead (Emory Massachusetts and returns 5 starters. Westmont 8 starters, mostly seniors. Three Baldwinsville-CW Baker (16- Riddle, .283, 21 RBI, 14 SB). St. Johns Prep (Danvers), has a strong pitching staff with 5 top pitchers return in Cam Karlin 6) hopes to return to the state Doral Academy (25-7) finished Boston College HS, St. John’s in the rotation. Leading the team (6-1, 2 SV, 1.46 ERA, 38 K), David finals this season with three senior as the runners-up in Florida’s 6A (Shrewsbury) is C Riley Basit (.319, 7 2B, 3 Stuart (5-1, 2 SV, 1.63 ERA, 36 players who helped them get there state tournament last season. They HR, 27 RBI). Also: St. Rita, K) and junior Michael Uhler (2- Michigan two years ago. They are RHP Jason return a solid core of senior players, Edwardsville, Mount Carmel, 1, 1.44 ERA). Also: Blue Valley, Gull Lake (26-7) was the district Savacool (.379, 13 RBI, 3-2, 1 SV, led by SS Dominic Pirelli, UT Luis Chicago De La Salle Haysville Campus, Olathe South, champion last season and returns 7 2.45 ERA, 87 K), C/1B Nate Ray Espinal, UT Adrian Figueroa and Indiana Topeka Seaman starters from that team, 6 who are (.308, 22 RBI, 3 SB) and SS Pat junior OF Gabriel Gutierrez. Palm Andrean (36-1) was the Indiana seniors. A strong pitching staff and May (.324, 2 2B, 15 RBI, 15 SB, 27 Beach Central (23-8) made it to Kentucky solid defense will be the team’s RS). Also: Massapequa, McQuaid 3A state champions last season but Saint Xavier (28-7) returns 5 the final four in the Florida 9A state lost three top pitchers to graduation. strength. Top players include SS Jesuit, Shenendehowa, Christian tournament and returns 11 starters, players with varsity experience Dylan Stanton (Michigan, .400, Brothers (Albany) Offense and defense should improve and three are pitchers. A large mostly seniors, from that team. with 7 returning players led by SS 12 2B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 25 SB), P Leading the team are SS/P Michael junior class will be stepping up North Carolina Tyler Nelson (.436, 11 2B, 6 3B, 3 Luke Scales (injured last year), Providence (25-4) advanced to Brooks (.456, 6 HR, 34 RBI) and this season. Top returners include HR, 48 RBI, 21 SB). Lake Central P Jack Blesch (4-1, 1.25 ERA, the Elite 8 in the state playoffs last P/OF/1B CJ Kayfus (.381, 2 HR, RHP Max Bergmann (Cincinnati, (24-7) returns 7 starters from last 61 K) and junior P/OF Korbin season and returns 5 core players 16 RBI). 4-2, 2.16 ERA, 51 K), RHP Beau year’s team that advanced to the Griffin (injured last year). Also: from that team. The Panthers will Stoneman Douglas (20-6) Coffman (Wabash Valley, 5-2, Final 8 in the 4A state playoffs. Top Portage Northern, Birmingham have many new faces on the field were Regional semi-finalists last 2.12 ERA, 35 K) and LHP Nathan players include C Nolan Zahorsky Brother Rice, Detroit Country and add talented pitchers to the mix. season and returns 7 players, mostly Waldridge (John A. Logan, 2-0, (.455, 5 2B, 15 RBI, 40 SB), P Day School, Swan Valley The team is led by SS/3B/P Hunter seniors, from that team. Offensively 2.57 ERA, 36 K). Also: Trinity, Brock Begesha (6-0, 3 SV, 0.72 Byrson (Appalachian State), SS and defensively they will be good, McCracken County, Tates Creek, Minnesota ERA, 65 K) and P Carter Doom Drew Roberts (Maryland-Baltimore but pitching will be inexperienced. Highlands Burnsville (14-10) returns a (a junior transfer from Illiana County) and P/CF Eli Jerzembeck Leading the team are 3B Coby strong senior class that includes 6 Christian). Louisiana (South Carolina). Mayo (Florida, .391, 2 2B, 4 HR, 20 starters. The only question mark Center Grove (23-3) returns West Monroe (27-12) lost in Reagan (21-7) finished in RBI), C Colin Flynn (South Florida, is the pitching staff. Top returnees 6 starting seniors from last year’s the state semi-finals last year and the Final Four of the 4A state .280, 4 HR, 16 RBI), CF Carter include 1B Joey Anderson (injured team that lost in the sectionals of returns a solid core of 6 starters, tournament last year and returns Brady (Charleston Southern, 379, 1 last season) and 2B Tim Urlaub the state tournament. Top players including the entire pitching staff. 9 players from that team. Four HR, 10 RBI) and SS Jhan Ledezma (.397, 7 2B, 7 SB). Also: East include SS Bryce Eblin (Alabama, They should have speed and power utility players will lead the team (Florida Southern, .397, 2 2B, 2 Ridge, Eden Prairie, Rochester .451, 11 2B, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 14 at the plate led by sophomore CF in LHP/1B Josh Hartle (.375, 11 3B). Also: Westminster Christian, Century, Stillwater SB), 1B/P Grant Herron (Bradley, Josh Pearson (.421, 9 2B, 8 HR, 37 2B, 20 RBI, 7-2, 1.28 ERA, 91 Lake Brantley, Plant City, Msgr. .400, 9 2B, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 7-1, RBI. John Curtis (17-17) suffered Mississippi Madison Central (19-8) was K), SS/RHP CJ Boyd (.354, 8 2B, Pace, Miami Springs 1.02 ERA), and sophomore INF a number of injuries last season and the district champion last season 2 HR, 16 RBI, 2-2, 0.63 ERA, Georgia Tyler Cerny (.361, 11 2B, 1 HR, still made it to the quarterfinals and returns a solid core of pitchers 34 K), RHP/3B Danny Beal (4-2, Decatur (30-8) returns an 22 RBI, 5 SB). Also: Penn, Crown of the Division I playoffs. This and position players. Top players 3.69 ERA, 74 K) and RHP/OF experienced group of 9 starters Point, Columbus East, Columbus season the Patriots return a team include senior pitchers Jacob Payne Carter Boyd (.259, 5 2B, 13 RBI, who finished in the 6A Final Four North mostly made up of juniors and 2-1, 1.47 ERA, 28 K). Also: New last year. The team is led by SS/3B/ several are already committed to (5-1, 1.47 ERA, 53 K), Brooks Iowa Rice (2-1, 3.40 ERA, 25 K), Justin Hanover, Holly Springs, Audrey P Jordon Walker (.519, 12 2B, play in college. Leading the team Kell, Myers Park Urbandale (31-14) returns are seniors C Collin Guggenheim Storm (1-3, 1.78 ERA, 24 K) and 17 HR, 60 RBI, 24 SB, 3-1, 1.80 7 players from last year’s state ERA, 40 K) and P/2B Jaylen Paden and OF Shane Goins. Also: Baton junior OF Braden Montgomery North Dakota championship team. Five of the Bismarck Century, West (.314, 13 2B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 15 Rouge Catholic, Brother Martin, (.450, 15 SB). Biloxi (29-5) has team’s top pitchers return led by Ty Fargo SB, 9-1, 0.85 ERA, 76 K). North St. Paul’s, Zachary 5 starters returning and hopes to Langenberg (8-2, 1.99 ERA, 100 finish among the top three teams in Oconee (25-8) finished in the Maine Ohio K), junior Tucker Langenberg (5-1, the state again. Top players include Archbishop Moeller (19-10) top 3 in 4A and returns 8 players 1.63 ERA, 37 K) and Cal Watson South Portland, Bangor, from that team. They have depth SS/P Colten Kieth (.527, 12 2B, 5 returns 6 seniors from a team that (2-1, 0.236 ERA, 20 K). Leading the Oxford Hills, Marshwood, 3B, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 6-0, 5 SV, 74 K) in multiple positions and on the Bonney Eagle won the sectional championship. offense is junior Gehrig Christensen and junior P Jake Allen (3-0, 34 K). Many experienced pitchers return mound. Top players include SS/ (.412 BA). Also: Johnston, Cedar RHP Will Pearson (Georgia, 4 W, Maryland Columbia Academy (17-13) has a along with seniors RHP/OF Seth Rapids Xavier, Newman Catholic, Calvert Hall College (24- solid core of seniors who have been Logue (injured last season), RHP 9 SV, 1.71 ERA, 55 K), 3B/RHP Ankeny, Dowling Catholic Bubba Chandler (Georgia, 7-0, 1.69 6) returns 13 players from last playing since they were freshman. ERA, 55 K, .356, 14 2B, 25 RBI, Kansas year’s team that won a conference They expect to finish as one of the See ELITE HIGH, Page 11 Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 11 Secrets To Coaching Best Baseball Skippers In History Had Important Qualities By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. the flu sidelined him for the first 11 ethic and moral ethic. Editor/Collegiate Baseball games of the 2008 season. “I think what has happened in (First Of A 3-Part Series) As a high school football the United States is that the moral coach at Joliet Catholic, his teams ethic has gone downhill. We see it JOLIET, Ill. — What makes the won 222 games along with five happening in school systems such greatest coaches in all sports highly state championships in a 10-year as shootings and deaths. successful? period. “I think athletics are one of the In this special report which will As a men’s college basketball few areas where you can teach be carried over the next three issues coach, his teams won 228 games. discipline. By discipline, I mean of Collegiate Baseball, we will Many don’t realize it, but he coached hard work, moral ethics, winning explore the important factors which one year of women’s basketball and like a gentleman and losing like a propel coaches to an elite level. recorded an 11-7 record. gentleman. To kickoff this series, there was What made this amazing man “Some people say you can’t lose no better coach in history than the such a gifted coach and incredible like a gentleman. There may be late Gordon Gillespie. motivator when it came to working 500 college baseball games being He retired following the 2011 with young men? What were the played today, and 250 teams will college baseball season after 59 secrets to his success? lose. So you will have to teach years and 1,893 coaching victories Gillespie explained what he the kids you will lose from time after coaching baseball teams at did in a special interview with to time. Lewis, St. Francis, and Ripon Collegiate Baseball years ago. “You come back and get stronger Colleges. “The essentials to being a great and work harder. So in a nutshell, His NAIA baseball teams won coach, and it’s from my heart, is coaching for the right reasons is three national titles when he was that you must have a keen desire crucial. at Lewis University and another at to have the right motives to be a “You must want to lead, teach College of St. Francis. coach,” said Gillespie. and get kids on the right path.” The coaching legend amassed “I truly liked working with Knowledge Of Game 2,402 victories in four sports which young people. The second area a coach must had never been done before. “It is love which you show have is a tremendous knowledge of Gillespie was inducted into toward your athletes. And I’ve got all aspects of any game you teach. 15 halls of fame and went 55 to be the one who says this is wrong “As many times as I have served consecutive years (3,371 contests) and this is right. I can’t be afraid with Ted Williams at clinics, who I without missing a game. to say the hard things that include felt was the guru of baseball hitting, It was undoubtedly the greatest the tough love kind of discussions he would always ask me what I Gordon Gillespie won 2,402 games in 4 sports. streak in athletics’ history before which ultimately crop up like work thought. “I would never have an answer. I would respond, ‘Ted, if that’s what Elite High Schools Named For 2020 Baseball Season you think then that’s what I think.’ Continued From Page 10 junior Dax Sharp. Broken Arrow P Davis Wright. Riverside (20-9) deep run in the playoffs. Leading It’s not as though I didn’t have an (25-11) were the 6A state runners- returns 7 senior starters from a the team are P/OF Francisco Paco opinion, but everything he taught Austin Strickland (7-2, 2.08 ERA, up and returns 9 starters from that team that finished in the district Hernandex (6-4, 3.33 ERA, 80 in all of his writings influenced me 46K), and RHP Andrew Deyhle (4-2, team. They boast experience in all playoffs last year. The seniors K), P/3B Sergio Galvan (4-0, 2.25 greatly. 2 SV, 1.46 ERA, 49 K). Cincinnati phases of the game led by OF Isaiah should provide leadership for the ERA, .329, 2 HR), P/INF Joseph “His thirst for knowledge is St. Xavier (13-12) finished in the Keller (.337, 7 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, underclassmen who are stepping Chavana (8-3, 1.7 ERA, 51 K) what coaching is all about. John second round of the playoffs last 16 SB), SS Cole White (.255, 3 up. Top returners include 1B/LHP and CF Nomar Garcia (.354, 2 Wooden, legendary basketball season and returns mainly a senior 2B, 17 RBI), C Peyton Messenger Caden Grice (Clemson, .397, 9 HR). Also: Refugio, Colleyville coach at UCLA, had a thirst for laden roster, featuring three pitchers (.325, 10 2B, 1 HR, 17 RBI) and C 2B, 20 RBI, 5-0, 0.99 ERA, 27 Heritage, Georgetown, Ridge knowledge as did Ray Meyer, long who signed with D1 schools. Braeden Warwick (.289, 9 2B, 13 K), INF Brody Fahr (Presbyterian, Point, Veterans Memorial time basketball coach at DePaul. Anchoring the pitching staff is RBI). Also: Blanchard, Edmond .402, 12 RBI, 6 SB), RHP Parker Utah “I played for Ray and watched RHP Wyatt Hudepohl (Kentucky, Santa Fe, Shawnee, Jenks Kruglewicz (Winthrop, 4-1, 3.59 Bingham (13-14) finished him coach for many years. Those throws 92-94 mph fastball), LHP Oregon ERA, 25 K) and OF Truman Roper fourth in the state last season and fellas had a fire in their belly to Eli Majick (Dayton) and RHP Central Catholic, Westview, (King Univ.). Also: Chapin, River boast 3 senior D1 commits and one learn as much as they could about Bobby Jones (Xavier). Defense Lakeridge, West Linn Bluff, Dorman, Dutch Fork junior D1 commit that make up the the game and every nuance of the and offense will be strong with OF Tennessee pitching staff. Defense and offense game.” Hank Thomas (Georgia Tech), 2B Pennsylvania Gillespie said once an extensive Red Land (25-3) captured the Independence (26-13) returns will have to improve, according to Tucker Hundley (Central Michigan) most of its starting pitching and Coach Joel Sato. The Miners are knowledge base is established, and 1B/P William Juan. 5A state championship last season imparting that knowledge to players and returns 9 position players from hopes to make a deep run in the led by SS/RHP Joey Dixon (6-1, Massillon Jackson (26-4) has state playoffs this year. Top players 1.86 ERA, 61 K), C/RHP Owen is the next crucial step. won 6 straight league and district that team led by junior OF Benny “After you teach this information Montgomery. Top pitchers include include OF/P Robert Hassell III Mortensen (.312, 8 2B, 1 HR) and titles and expects to post another (.423, 8 2B, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 5-2, junior LHP Justis Reiser. Also: to your players, you must have a great season. Seven seniors who LHP Luke Wagner (Georgia) and tremendous amount of patience. RHP Jaden Henline (Penn State). 1.07 ERA, 113 K), junior OF/P Will American Fork, Cottonwood, started last season will return Tobin (.336, 5 2B, 22 RBI), and SS Lone Peak That’s because it is patience, along with a solid group of talented West Allegheny (18-3) returns 9 patience, patience when it comes players from a team that participated Slater Schield (.330, 4 2B, 15 RBI, Vermont underclassmen. The team is led by 7 SB). Christian Brothers (27-12) to coaching. RHP/OF Trent Jones (Ohio State, in the WPIAL playoffs last season. Champlain Valley Union “That is especially true when The Indians return a lot of talent was the state runners up last season 6-0, 0.61 ERA, 41 K), SS/2B Petey and returns 9 starters. The pitching Virginia you are coaching on the high school Taylor (Akron, .354, 5 2B, 12 with a few underclassmen already Western Branch (14-7) has or junior high levels, which are committing to colleges. Leading staff will be led by two seniors in RBI, 18 SB), SS/3B Josh Romans Avery Hastings and Nick Vaccaro. high expectations this season with important stages in the development (Northern Kentucky, .338, 6 2B, the team are OF/P Austin Hendrick 9 starters returning from a team of kids. (.327, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 15 SB,2-0, Also: Baylor School, Collierville, 16 RBI, 10 SB) and C/OF Benny Houston that ended last year in the regional “You get kids in basketball who Hymes (Walsh U., .418, 5 2B, 3 HR, 0.72 ERA, 20 K), SS/P Gavin tournament. The Bruins are led by can’t even bounce the ball with 34 RBI). Walsh Jesuit (26-4) has 9 Miller (.341, 3 2B, 11 RBI, 7-1, Texas RHP Reid Long (9-2, 1.2 ERA). their left hand when they are 11 or core players returning from a team 1.55 ERA, 38 K), C Luke Lambert Flower Mound (32-14) will James River (21-4) lost in the 12 years old. that finished as regional runners-up (.396, 3 2B, 3 HR, 17 RBI) and OF have an experienced team with 11 Virginia 6A semi-finals last season, “Then you will see the kid two last season. Top returners include Cameron Pankyo Morris (.407, 3 seniors returning from last year’s but returns 6 starters. Top returners years later under a good coaching C Stanley Kaczmar (Wittenberg 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 SB). Serra Regional finalist team. Pitching include OF/P Alex Balisteri (James program as he dribbles the ball Univ., .542, 1 HR, 16 RBI), junior Catholic (24-3) were the 2A state depth and a strong defense will Madison, .365, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 2-0, through his legs, passes efficiently INF Jake Armsey (.506, 1 HR, 30 runners-up last season and return be the team’s foundation with the 1.20 ERA), LHP Connelly Early and so on just because of the work RBI, 42 RS), sophomore INF Henry 15 players from that team, 8 were entire infield and catcher returning. (Army, 8-1, 2.36 ERA, 70 K), SS ethic that a coach passed on to Kaczmar (.376, 1 HR, 19 RBI). regular starters. The team is led Leading the team are seniors RHP Ty Swaim (Virginia Military, .414, him. Also: Saint Ignatius, Mason, St. by seniors C Mark Black (.507, Cam Brown (11-2, 1.90 ERA, 118 11 RBI, 28 SB), and 2B Will Riley “The kids who were successful Edwards 14 HR), P/SS Alex Giomac (10- K, .361, 8 2B, 6 HR, 37 RBI) and (Virginia Military, .339, 7 2B, 4 hitters in our college programs did so 3, 1.57 ERA, 70 K) and P Logan RHP/2B Tyler Talbert (.319, 10 2B, HR, 22 RBI). Also: Benedictine, because the coach straightened out Oklahoma Exler (8-0, 1.50 ERA, 52 K). Also: 22 RBI, 5-2, 1.94 ERA, 35 K). Owasso (34-6) has a solid Bishop O’Connell their mechanics and then had them Malvern Prep Cypress Ranch (34-6-1) hit thousands of times. We liked nucleus returning included two finished as regional finalists last Washington senior pitchers Nate Wohgemuth Rhode Island Lake Washington (Kirkland), to use the old Granada Wiffle ball Bishop Hendricken season and returns just 3 senior pitching machines for our players (4-3, 3.47 ERA, 70 K) and Nate starters. They will add a large group Selah, Moses Lake, O’Dea Ackenhausen (4-1, 3.29 ERA, 43 South Carolina (Seattle) inside during cold weather. of underclassmen to the mix this “They also hit against live K). Leading the offense are 2B Jack Blythewood (26-10) were the 6A year. Leading the team is 1B Fabian Hammond (.378, 12 2B, 37 RBI, 10 West Virginia pitching when we got outside. The runners up last season and returns Mayfield (.303, 9 2B, 4 HR, 32 Bridgeport, Jefferson, SB) and C Pepe Casey (.290, 8 2B, key was having hitters swing the bat 5 senior starters from that team. RBI, 6 SB). Hurricane, Morgantown, St. 2 HR, 19 RBI). Pryor (38-3) returns Top players include INF/P Landon thousands of times. At some point, Laredo JB Alexander (28-14) Albans the successful hitters produced a 4 starters from last year’s Oklahoma Lucas (.379, 13 2B, 7 HR, 34 RBI, returns a solid core of players with 5A state championship team. Three 7-1, 1.47 ERA, 43 K), INF Jansen Wisconsin natural swing that was specific to all three starting pitchers and its Green Bay Preble, Warnakee, key pitchers will return in Blair Stokes, INF/OF Michael Gregory, closer. They should make another Scroggins, Anthony Wilson and INF/P Jake Ladd, and sophomore Sun Prairie See ATHLETES, Page 12 Page 12 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Athletes Ferocious Competitors Under Gillespie Continued From Page 11 my ball club gets the most attention on my teams. My lifetime friends them. have been the managers on my “Many people felt Ted Williams’ teams who handled equipment and swing was so natural. But Ted statistical people. would be the first to tell you that “These were folks who really Let’s say a 15-year-old is diagnosed the reason he had such a great cared about the team and were “with cancer, a kid gets run over by swing was because he swung at one crying after games because their million balls and developed it.” team got beat even though they a car or someone is shot at school Dedication Crucial weren’t on the playing field. which has happened many times. How Gillespie said if you are coaching “I had a bat girl for three years properly, you are teaching them six by the name of Ruth Hayes. She does everyone associated with those days a week. was such a wonderful person who “There really isn’t much time left cared so deeply about our program. individuals go on in life? A lot of in a week if you are a sincere coach You must honor those people the and teacher. right way.” people would give up. That’s the same “When you’re not coaching, Never, Ever Quit thing you have in baseball. We may be you’re busy answering correspon- Gillespie teams never gave up dence or grading papers if you are despite how bleak a situation may down 15-0, but we never give up. a high school coach. be. “Time and giving of yourself is A great example was the time St. — Gordon Gillespie just essential. Knowing the rules Francis began the year with a 3-13 of the game is essential as well, record in 1993 but rebounded to and that goes right along with win 38 of 39 to capture the NAIA knowledge of the game.. national championship. “There is just so much to St. Francis may be the only is wrong. Playing All Out contact with us than possibly their learn.” college team in history to rebound “But camaraderie, love for Gillespie’s athletes always had own fathers and mothers.” This teammates and coaches, honesty, intense desire to go all out in every is why it is so important to be a Players Reach Potential from such a poor start. fairness, never giving up. Those single game under his leadership. coach.” Gillespie had that rare ability to It is no coincidence the man in are qualities we are trying to get “From the time I coached my Gillespie said another aspect of make athletes believe they were charge was Gillespie. through to our players.” first game until now, whether it be coaching is making sure pitchers better than they were on and off the “Never quitting is something football, basketball or baseball, I don’t intentionally throw at playing field. people must have. Amazing Honor treated every game as the seventh hitters. Gillespie explained how he “Let’s say a 15-year-old is One of Gillespie’s greatest game of the World Series. That’s “Any time one of my pitchers accomplished this. diagnosed with cancer, a kid gets honors came at the age of 60 when the way athletes should play in hits a batter, I knew it was done “I learned a lot teaching at run over by a car or someone is one of his baseball players, the games. unintentionally. If a pitcher is Christian and Catholic schools all shot at school which has happened captain of his 1980 team, asked the “I always got excited and was purposely throwing at a hitter and my life. The people who influenced many times. veteran skipper to be his best man up for games. I always wanted my the kid loses track of the ball as it me tremendously were the Christian “How does everyone associated at his marriage ceremony. kids to play at their highest levels. hits him flush in the face and you Brothers and Carmelite Fathers. with those individuals go on in life? “You talk about a thrill,” said If we lost, I was disappointed for maim him for life, the pitcher has The vast majority of these fellas A lot of people would give up. Gillespie. the kids. to live with that. made you feel you were the only “That’s the same thing you have “I was 60 when he asked me. “But I wouldn’t get mad at the “Certainly pitches get away from person on earth when you talked in baseball. We may be down 15- Anybody who would think of kids or contemplate suicide. When time to time. That’s the way it is. to them. 0, but we never give up. How will me that much to invite me to be we won, I felt good about it. But if you never have a conscience “I never have forgot that my we get the score tied? We will take his best man shows that I don’t “Every game is important. To of trying to hurt somebody, that’s entire life. pitches. Whatever we do, we will have a dialogue problem with me, there was no difference in not good. “The coaches I played for in create something to get back into young people. I am very fond of playing the first game of a season, “In the Major Leagues, pitchers my career also had this wonderful the game. my players. I look at them as my a contest in the middle of the year deliberately hit batters. I can have quality. I never had any magic “You constantly tell your kids sons.” or the last one playing for a national my pitcher throw at the hands of formula. But whenever anybody this. A lot of times, coaches don’t Gillespie said that special championship. hitters and then have a breaking ball was talking to me, I wanted them do those things. The kids must have moment was followed by another “I was involved in 16 NAIA be thrown low and away. But that to know that I truly cared what they it in their minds that you never, ever shortly after that. World Series over the years. There certainly is not head hunting.” were saying. give up. “My third baseman was getting were 12 times when we didn’t come “I really listened. I didn’t care “You might be down in a married about two weeks following Let Pitchers Pitch away with a championship. if someone was the worst athlete basketball game by 40 points with this wedding. During the 1993 season when “We got beat in the third on my teams. Mother Teresa truly one minute to play. We’re still “But I couldn’t go to the St. Francis won the NAIA national game, fifth game or possibly the believed in helping everyone. She playing every possession as hard wedding because I was committed title, Gillespie never used a relief championship. didn’t care if people she cared for as we can. to a speaking engagement. So I pitcher in 39 games that season. “Yeah, that might have been a had scurvy or flies all over them. “In baseball, you play every reluctantly had to explain to him I “I don’t believe in relief pitchers. bit more disappointing. But having “In God’s eyes, they are the pitch as hard as you can. You never couldn’t come. I would never say I wouldn’t bring this mentality to compete at the highest of the highest. When I give up because you never give up “He said, ‘That’s OK. My wife somebody in to spell someone highest level day in and day out is talked to someone, I thought of in life. That is the value of sports and I want you to know that when having a bad game. what allows the the kids to keep how Jesus would want me to act. — not how much money someone we have our first child, he will be “But to tell a pitcher you will go working hard through the season He would want me to be attentive, will make. named Gordie.’ five or six innings and then another and improve. listen and care. “What did you learn from your “You wonder why I’m crying pitcher will go two innings and “Each day as I went about my sport? Was it to put the make on half the time? It’s wonderful Being Gentlemen our closer finishes the game out in business, I tried to remember what four girls because you are the relationships like this which make One of the most important the final frame is baloney sausage. Mother Teresa did. The last guy on captain of the football team? That it all so special.” qualities Gillespie demands of his That’s all that is. players is that they be gentlemen. “Any time I was playing the “We see so much of the other game, I wanted to be in there when with moral abuse. Kids who are the nuts and bolts hit the fan. in NCAA Division I football and “To take a competitor out in the basketball have so much pressure most trying time of a game does on them. nothing to help the pitcher unless “There is so much written about the guy is done and can’t pitch any them. There is so much money longer. along with temptations and the “Most starting pitchers do not drug scene. like this theory of using relief “I don’t know how they survive. pitchers to finish the game. It is important to act like gentlemen “The idea you pay millions of at all times. dollars for a closer is strictly for the “We see so much showboating birds. Go with your starter as far as these days, and it’s not necessary. you can. A lot of pitchers will get But we allow it. stronger in the late innings. “In big time athletics, the tail is “Hitters better get good pitchers wagging the dog with the almighty early because most of the time those dollar. The only way we can keep pitchers will get better and better. our programs pure is by people and “For some great pitchers, it took their leadership. a bit of time to find themselves on “Coaches must understand they the mound. A good example was are the true leaders of youth along Nolan Ryan. with their pastors and teachers. “Roger Clemens was throwing The one thing we know with split harder in the eighth and ninth homes, more divorced parents and innings than in the third and fourth. both parents working several jobs Pitchers need to get their rhythm. to survive is that kids are so much “How many times have you seen more influenced by coaches than someone pitch a whale of a game ever. only to be taken out and the relief “Kids are looking to us even pitcher blows the game? I just don’t more because they have more believe in that. It’s not necessary.” Gordon Gillespie Spoke With Passion About The Game Of Baseball. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 13

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SAVE THE DATE! January 7-10, 2021 Don’t miss the baseball coaching event of the year! The 77th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 7-10, 2021 at the Gaylord National in Washington, D.C. It’s the first time the ABCA Convention is being held in Washington, D.C., since 1975! Join us for the world-renowned clinics, the Youth Coaches Session, the ABCA Trade Show, Expo Theater, Hall of Fame Banquet and more! It’s four days of non-stop baseball! Page 14 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 How Do You Get Through To Players? Test Shows If Athletes Are Voice, Touch Or Written Word Learners By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. of dry mirror work or dry mound to let him watch what he did. That Editor/Collegiate Baseball work who need to spend time in has changed with this test. Excerpt Of Test the bullpen feeling their different “If we have a pitcher who comes CHESTER, N.Y. — The CHESTER, N.Y. — The movements. in and scores tremendously high in following is a small sampling frustration level in coaching “Then you work with the auditory the kinestetic category, watching of the Primary Modality Test can reach its zenith at any given pitchers. These are the ones on the video tapes is a little bit better Tony Abbatine administers to moment. staff the pitching coach needs to than a waste of time but not much. baseball players at the Frozen Trying to patiently explain one spend more time talking to. We try to structure the workout Ropes Training Center. facet of the game or skill to a player “It becomes valuable for the spending a lot more time doing Players range in age from often ends in the athlete not being head coach and pitching coach to the kinetic work and some of the youngsters to professional ball able to grasp the concept or apply know how their players learn way audio work.” players. it in a game situation. in advance before they put their Using Self Talk Strong Visual Channel The coach keeps trying to work practice together or before they Abbatine discussed work with 1. Likes to keep written notes. with the player but often finds the instruct their players.” Major League pitcher Derek 2. Typically reads billboard success rate less than desirable. Abbatine said it has been helpful Aucoin who was with the Montreal while driving or riding. A simple solution to this age to know how a player processes Expos. 3. Puts models together cor- old problem may now be at hand information efficiently in game “He scored tremendously high rectly using written directions. through the keen insight of Tony situations. on the auditory component of this Strong In Auditory Channel Abbatine, owner of Frozen Ropes “Many coaches would like test. We always do a lot of self 1. Prefers to have someone else Training Centers and one of the players to make adjustments in talk which is a sports psych term read instructions when putting a most progressive baseball thinkers the middle of a game. Knowing for talking through your thought model together. of our time. a particular batter is more of an processes in the middle of a game. 2. Reviews for a test by reading For years he has felt that teaching auditory learner, having a chat With him being so high on the notes aloud or by talking to the skills of baseball can become with him during the game with the auditory, we actually have a little others. much easier if you find out how an TONY ABBATINE hitting instructor becomes very mannequin head which sits behind 3. Talks aloud when working on athlete learns best — either through valuable. a math problem. across a person who learns more one of our mounds. visual means, words or touch. “If the Primary Modality Test Strong In Touch And/Or effectively with vision, the person “Every time the pitcher does Abbatine has come up with a test shows that a player just does not Movement Channel is actually thinking with images or something right or wrong, he to determine which of these three effectively learn by hearing, having 1. Likes to build things. pictures. turns around and actually has a areas athletes can fast forward the a talk with that person during the 2. Uses senses of touch to put a “It’s almost as if they have a conversation with this mannequin learning process. middle of a game will probably model together. movie camera in their mind,” said who we call Sigmond. The pitcher “People learn differently,” said confuse him more than anything 3. Can distinguish items by touch Abbatine. is reinforcing his learning through Abbatine. else.” when blind folded. “They take in what they hear or the talking he is doing with the “Some prefer using pictures. Abbatine said there are a mannequin. Others like working in groups. read and translate it into images in tremendous number of training “Darren Bragg, centerfielder for information to him or talk to him When you break this down, there their brain. In laymen’s terms, we devices on the market today which the Boston Red Sox, is tremendously in a visual language which will are three major factors in making up call these people visual learners. can help athletes become quicker high on the visual. After testing him be consistent with how the player a learning style. You have auditory, When a visual learner wants to learners. and talking to him, we knew he had processes things in his brain.” visual and kinestetics. recall what he has learned, he “There is the Stride Rite, Hitting typically glances upward and looks to see it to get the most out of his “How this applies to and can help Seat, Dinger and so forth. If we workout. So he spent a tremendous Dreaming Up Great Ideas at the image as if he has stored it in Abbatine said coaches who have the coaches and players is really in know hitters are kinestetic, they amount of time in front of the mirror his brain. this valuable information about player-coach communications. are the ones we want to spend a lot during soft toss. The machine was “This process is similar to going their players can dream up many “If a coach can help determine of time using these teaching aids. located in its normal position with to the movies and recalling what different ways to take advantage what the most effective way to If we have hitters who score high the mirror put in a position in front you have just seen in order to tell a of it. present a new concept or new visually, then watching video tapes of the hitter but out of the flight of friend. Visual learners talk in terms “Some coaches may work with drill to his players and match it and mirror work will be effective in the ball.” to their own learning strengths, it of ‘I see or I get the picture’.” gaining higher performance.” specific groups in practice which Abbatine then discussed the Scoring High In 2 Areas score high in one of the three areas. becomes a more effective practice, Findings Of Test Results athlete who was able to learn quicker Abbatine was asked if anybody Other coaches may have a normal game and better player-coach Abbatine was asked how many through kinestetics (touching or has scored high in two areas instead practice and choose to work with communication.” athletes have been administered the doing). of one. individuals after practice with Abbatine said several modality Primary Modality Test and what “This person prefers to learn “If someone scores high in the certain drills which fit into the tests have been created over the trends he has seen develop. through their body or by feelings. visual and kinetic areas, we will players’ best learning path. In some years by sports psychologists “We have been giving it for If they can feel whatever they are put together a training workout of the group clinics we do, we will and professionals in the child several years now. I would say learning, the kinestetic learner which will encompass both areas. have 12 to 15 teenagers come in development arena. between the training facilities and will process and remember the You may also have an individual and test them. “Since special education kids the pros, we have tested thousands information much better. As who is even right across the board “We will spend a little bit more and learning disabled children of players now. students in the classroom, these in all three categories. He may not time with the visual players in front are given these sorts of tests, this “Players seem to understand players are usually quite restless, have any primary learning style of the mirror and have them review process really intrigued me. It is concepts quicker and get better have much more difficulty paying he feels more comfortable with. more video for self analysis. so important for them to have their sooner by the staff not wasting their attention and can’t seem to get That’s great. Now we have the full “You can do it within the ears and eyes open when teachers time with drills and communicating focused. assortment of drills we can access main practice and/or give players are dealing with them. to them in a way which goes against “These people like to speak out this person with.” additional work with the emphasis “So our training center ended what the Primary Modality testing about learning in terms of their Abbatine said athletes who come on their best learning modality. up putting together a 3-page shows. feelings and say things like ‘I feel to his training center rarely have “There are a lot of coaches who modality test to make workouts “Instead of throwing the or I’d like to get a better handle on any idea which primary modality are using underweight and over- more effective for the individuals proverbial dart on a wall and this information.’ ” works best with them. weight balls in pitching practice we have at our training center. A hoping that one of the things that a Abbatine went into the final “When we have found out what as well as underload and overload 12 year old can understand it. You coach says sticks, you are making component — a strong auditory modality works well, we have bats in hitting to gain quickness basically go through and check the a target a lot smaller now. The time preference. actually been able to help some of and strength. lines which apply to you and what and quality of work becomes much “This type of person learns the younger players become better “But if you really stop to think you find interesting or not. better.” best by hearing or listening. These students as well. about it, using these training devices “The test is divided into three Abbatine said a cumulative look people don’t necessarily make “They have gone back to their would especially be helpful for sections. Depending on how many at nearly 1,000 Primary Modality pictures in their minds as do the parents and teachers to say they a kinetic person who is strong in check marks are in the visual, Tests shows fascinating data. visual learners but rather filter are not a dumb kids. The student learning through touch. auditory or kinetic categories, the “Believe it or not, of all the information through their listening might only need to hear instructions “I have seen coaches in front of area with the most checks helps athletes who have taken this test, and repeating skills. The auditory a little bit more and not see it as their team benefit greatly by how determine that player’s primary it is almost evenly split in all three learner tells wonderful stories and much. It all depends, of course, on each of their players learn. Instead modality. categories. We have not seen any solves problems by talking about which of the three areas the student of only talking in one modality, “Once that’s done, and it takes one of the categories jump out and them.” scores highest in. we as coaches simply change the only 10 or 15 minutes to complete, say this is more prominent. “This test really educates the way we communicate. We can you have a good grasp of what will How To Use Test Results “When you look at the different players that we live in a tri-fold efficiently access the different be the most effective way to get Abbatine was asked how a positions in baseball, there also isn’t filtering process. The more they learning characteristics of the entire this person to perform better. More coach can use the information to a dominant category which sticks know, the better they will be able squad by doing this. importantly with coaches, this will his advantage in a practical sense out when comparing the data. Prior to teach the next generation of “I have seen college coaches fall let them know what drills will work since so many coaches are pressed to receiving a large number of test players on how the brain processes in love with a video camera. I’ve more effectively during practice for time in practice. results, we thought the majority information. seen high school coaches simply with each player. “If you find out half the pitching of pitchers would score higher “It has been helpful for players lecture all the time to players. I also “How many times have we heard staff is extremely visual, those are visually because of the amount of to recognize what their strengths have also seen players who have coaches say that this player or that the players you would want to video analysis and mirror work and weaknesses are. Even coaches been inundated with the kinetic player doesn’t listen well. spend a lot of time doing mirror they do. who have come in and witnessed (touch) type of coach through the “Possibly the player is paying work with. Video taping them and “It was quite the opposite. They this can look at teaching players use of teaching aids. attention but can’t learn properly using other video reinforcements is as a group were even more random in a totally different way. Every “Why shouldn’t coaches pre-sent because he isn’t learning in his best also helpful. than the general population. Prior to time a coach is with a player, he information properly to the entire modality.” “On the other hand, what happens that when we had a college or pro knows this particular athlete is a team by touching on all three areas, if we have pitchers on our staff who player come in and train with us, the Three Ways Of Learning real visual guy. recognizing human beings process Abbatine said when you run are very kinetic? These are the first thing we would do is film him players you may choose to do a lot “So this coach can present information differently?” Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 15

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