In the practices leading up to the start of the Sinclair Community College men’s baseball season, the Tartan Pride have a clear goal.
“The goal is to go to the World Series,” coach Steve Dintaman said. “But first we’d have to win regionals. We have to get over the regional. That’s what we need to do. We’re hungry to develop this program.”
Simply put, Dintaman said he believes “last year we didn’t finish the job.” With that in mind, he said the focus for the team in the early going is on what Dintaman calls “the mental game.” That could mean knowing the situation, maintaining poise in a tough spot or “taking pride in what you do.”
For the freshmen coming into the program, poise is especially important.
“We don’t want them to have any fear,” Dintaman said. “We want them to keep poise. If you’re hitting, strikeouts happen. If you’re pitching, a walk will happen. Don’t let them bring you out of the moment.”
A number of positions are set. Dintaman said the Tartan Pride are strong up the middle (catcher, shortstop, second base and center field) and have leadership all over the field. At third base, David Moss and Marcus Heath are competing for a spot. Dintaman said that he could live either as a starter, but thinks eventually one of the two will step up and take charge of the position.
At first base, freshmen Brandon Branigan and Kyle Vander Ark are battling it out for playing time. With Branigan hitting right handed and Vander Ark hitting from the left side, Dintaman said the two could platoon, but only for the beginning.
The outfield has a lot of experience. Stephen Buglione, Chas Harper and Byron Johann are all sophomores and figure to be an important part of the Tartan Pride offense, according to Dintaman.
The closer of the team is right hander Matt Addis and he will be used for 2-innings at a time. Dintaman said he has a “good fastball and when he’s throwing well, he’ll be around 88-90 MPH”. He also has a “plus slider,” meaning the pitch is above average.
“He had 14 consecutive scoreless innings to start last season,” Dintaman said.
Aside from Addis, Heath—another right hander who pitches alongside his third base responsibilities—and left hander Roy Wysong will lead the bullpen. Dintaman also said that Wysong won’t be used exclusively to face left handed batters.
With no injuries or academic issues to speak of early on, Dintaman said he is excited. His team is too, and they have coined a catch phrase for the 2011 season.
“Roll pride,” Dintaman said.