Errors a way of life for county teams

Hernando baseball coach Tim Sims said players' lack of commitment to defense is clearly at fault.

By BRANT JAMES

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2000

BROOKSVILLE -- The problem is mind-boggling for coaches, especially since they know many of their players concentrate on baseball year-round. Players take thousands of swings, hit thousands of pitches. The balls have to go somewhere, someone could try to catch them.

But, alas, few appear to be practicing the other half of the game. The defense has rested, offense is king, and committing four or fewer errors a game is not so bad these days in Hernando County.

Coaches have to put up with it, but that does not mean they accept it.

"Playing defense comes down to a pride thing," Hernando coach Tim Sims said. "A lot of it comes from a concentration factor."

Sims, whose Leopards have committed 80 errors in 26 games -- 25 by shortstop Denis Hernandez -- has begun incorporating defense into game situations in practice. He also has the Leopards (16-10) practice playing rubber balls off a wall.

Such measures are needed for a team against whom 47 percent of the runs scored (75) have been unearned.

Sims said most errors seem to occur on throws, a basic part of the game -- basics he stresses, but apparently to no avail.

"We try to put 60 percent of our time working on bunts and doubles plays," Sims said. "They're going to hit on their own time. It seems like the last thing kids want to do is grab a glove and field 20 to 25 ground balls."

Central (11-11) has committed 64 errors in 22 games and allowed 37 unearned runs, partly because numerous injuries have prompted player movement. That does not completely explain all the miscues -- 18 of which were committed by shortstop Mike Hill -- and a five- and seven-error game this season.

That Central opponents have committed 58 errors shows the malady is not confined to Hernando County.

Bears coach Gary Buel cannot understand it.

"I tell the guys defense is the easiest part of the game," he said. "Still, we have a tendency just to make (errors) and make them in bunches."

Springstead (14-9) has been relatively fortunate, with 13 unearned runs allowed in 23 games. An exact error total was not available for the Eagles.

Sims said players' lack of commitment to defense is clearly at fault. He has seen good defensive players in the past, ones who made themselves better with dedication and repetition.

"Players like (former Central catcher) Brian Loscalzo, they prided themselves on making the play," Sims said. "It's not poor coaching, because we're all trying to correct it. It's like two-strike hitting. You have to be able to make that kind of adjustment."

Those unwilling or unable to completely blame athletes can cling to their own conspiracy theories, such as super-charged bats. Theoretically, the switch to less-potent bats next season will settle that debate.

"People think the ball is getting on the players faster now and making it more difficult," Sims said, "but it seems to me most errors now are coming on throws."

Indefensible defense has increased the value of strikeout pitchers, Sims said. No ball in play means a reduced chance of an error.

"When someone is playing poor defense, put the damned thing in play," Sims said. "You just have to keep from striking out. You'll get beat if you do."

SHATTERED: Because Hernando High counts statistics for all games played in a season toward season records -- and always has -- three players will likely break Jerome Brown's 18-year-old single-season hits record of 49.

Catcher Chris Cole currently leads the vanguard with 44, with Brown's son, Dee, close behind at 42 and Hernandez at 39. Hernandez led the team for most of the season, but .500-plus batting averages by Cole and Brown helped overtake him.

As the Leopards' lead-off hitter, and with 106 at-bats, Hernandez does, however, appear in prime position to break Tommy Anderson's record of 122, set in 1984.

Brown breaking the hits record not only would be rich in sentimental value, but would give him two single-season standards in one season. The junior's 13 homers is an ever-growing record, which eclipsed Tyrone Wood's record of 11 set in 1987.

Woods' single-season batting average mark (.478 in 1987) also is being jeopardized by Brown (.525) and Cole (.524).

Chad Sims' doubles record (13), set in 1985, also appears to be a goner, as Cole also has 13.

Hernando (16-10): Has committed 80 errors in 26 games this season; 47 percent of the runs allowed (75) have been unearned.

Central (11-11): Has committed 64 errors in 22 games and allowed 37 unearned runs; opponents have committed 58 errors.

Springstead (14-9): Has allowed 13 unearned runs in 23 games; exact error total not available.

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