It might not be as sexy as a towering home run or a fastball stopping a hitter dead in his tracks, but people who know baseball know that defense is as important as any part of the game. And as the Tufts baseball team kicks off its 2005 campaign, coach John Casey says defense is a priority.
"My theory is, I don't get paid by the hour so if we're a good defense, we won't be out there long," Casey said. "We take great pride in playing good defense; it's something we have complete control over. It doesn't matter how they hit the ball, it's how we field the ball. We spend a lot of time on that, and we hope that's a strength every year."
The Jumbos' defense will be anchored behind the plate by the team's captain, senior catcher Bob Kenny. Kenny committed just one error last year on his way to posting a .995 fielding percentage.
"It all starts with the guy behind the plate, and we have the best catcher in the league," Casey said. "He calls the game and runs the show for us. He's done that for three and half years and we're looking forward to a great season from him."
The Jumbos will be young in the infield, posting three sophomores in the starting lineup. Sophomore Kyle Backstrom, an All-New England Third Team selection last year as a designated hitter, moves to third base this season, and Tufts returns its middle infield junior shortstop Greg Chertok and sophomore second-baseman Brian Casey.
Sophomore Chris Decembrele returns in the outfield, and according to Coach Casey it is hard to find "a better athlete out there." Decembrele, who is a two-sport athlete for the Jumbos, spending his falls as an All-NESCAC linebacker on the football team, committed only one error last year while recording 54 putouts and will anchor the Jumbos' outfield.
According to Casey, the team aims to rely on its defense in addition to good pitching.
"I think you have to be [built around pitching and defense] to be a good baseball team," Casey said. "The Red Sox finally figured it out, and they won the World Championship, right? They get good pitching, a good defensive shortstop, and then they're good. That's what gives you consistency. Your pitching is in your control, your defense is in your control. You should be somewhat proficient at it. That's certainly our philosophy."
