Cockholio
11-02-2007, 01:19 PM
http://media.charleston.net/images/pc_logo.gif
Gamecocks hoping to give pitchers' arms a breather
By Travis Haney
The Post and Courier
Friday, November 2, 2007
USC Baseball
COLUMBIA — A few weeks off now rather than time away from the field during the baseball season. It's a tradeoff that Mike Cisco and a few other South Carolina pitchers can go along with this fall.
"Yeah, I'd do it that way any day," said Cisco, a junior from Mount Pleasant.
Cisco had to rest a tired right arm during the middle of last season, forcing him to temporarily lose his spot in the Gamecocks' rotation. He returned, but the situation wasn't ideal for anyone.
This time, realizing that pitchers are going nearly year 'round including summer ball, coach Ray Tanner isn't taking any chances with his best arms.
"By nature, I'm a guy that you've got to work, work, work, work, work," Tanner said. "Sometimes you have to back away. I haven't been good at that."
This summer, he re-evaluated his approach with pitching coach Mark Calvi. What happened with Cisco, a virtual lock for this season's weekend rotation, was eye-opening.
"Even in the big leagues, those guys take off in the winter. These guys weren't taking any time off," Tanner said. "We decided we've got to shut these guys down a little bit and give them a chance to work out and get their bodies back. Hopefully the rest will do a lot for them."
In addition to Cisco, projected rotation member Blake Cooper didn't throw a pitch in the recently concluded fall workouts. Neither did projected closer Curtis Johnson, who was in 31 games this past season.
Projected rotation member Will Atwood threw two innings, and that was because he essentially pleaded for the ball.
Others, including Jay Brown and Jordan Costner, were limited as they return from injuries.
"We've got some guys that have been in the program that we expect to do big things for us that we didn't see," Tanner said. "We've got to count on those guys when the season starts."
Tanner hinted that pitching will be the element that determines how deep of a tournament run the Gamecocks can make. USC has fallen one win shy of the College World Series the past two seasons.
"(Offensively and defensively) we should be as good as anybody, quite frankly," Tanner said.
"Pitching-wise, we've got to make some jumps. ... We need for those guys to elevate individually and as a group."
He then mentioned Cisco first. The Wando graduate is 13-7 with a 3.90 ERA in his first two years at USC. More importantly, perhaps, Cisco has pitched in the postseason each year.
Tanner said it wasn't too difficult to initially convince Cisco to take a break. As time went on, and he watched his teammates participate, it got tougher. At least until he thought about the potential dividends.
"It was hard," Cisco said. "I was kind of begging to get out there. But I know it'll be better in the end."
Havens OK
Junior shortstop Reese Havens injured ligaments in his left hand fielding a ball during fall work, but he's doing better now.
The team was concerned he would need surgery, but the injury wasn't that severe. He's already out of the soft cast he wore for a period.
Havens had a terrific summer in the Cape Cod League. He batted a team-high .314. Tanner has said Havens is a player USC is considering to bat in the leadoff spot.
Welcome freshmen
Tanner said two freshmen, in particular, jumped out during fall practice. As a result, Justin Hopper and Whit Merrifield are now among the favorites to start, respectively, in left and center field. Tanner described Harley Lail as a "staple" in right field.
Hopper surprised Tanner with his ability to hit during the workouts. Merrifield was less of a shock, he said. Tanner thinks, with consistent playing time, he could lead USC in stolen bases this year.
Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com (thaney@postandcourier.com).
Gamecocks hoping to give pitchers' arms a breather
By Travis Haney
The Post and Courier
Friday, November 2, 2007
USC Baseball
COLUMBIA — A few weeks off now rather than time away from the field during the baseball season. It's a tradeoff that Mike Cisco and a few other South Carolina pitchers can go along with this fall.
"Yeah, I'd do it that way any day," said Cisco, a junior from Mount Pleasant.
Cisco had to rest a tired right arm during the middle of last season, forcing him to temporarily lose his spot in the Gamecocks' rotation. He returned, but the situation wasn't ideal for anyone.
This time, realizing that pitchers are going nearly year 'round including summer ball, coach Ray Tanner isn't taking any chances with his best arms.
"By nature, I'm a guy that you've got to work, work, work, work, work," Tanner said. "Sometimes you have to back away. I haven't been good at that."
This summer, he re-evaluated his approach with pitching coach Mark Calvi. What happened with Cisco, a virtual lock for this season's weekend rotation, was eye-opening.
"Even in the big leagues, those guys take off in the winter. These guys weren't taking any time off," Tanner said. "We decided we've got to shut these guys down a little bit and give them a chance to work out and get their bodies back. Hopefully the rest will do a lot for them."
In addition to Cisco, projected rotation member Blake Cooper didn't throw a pitch in the recently concluded fall workouts. Neither did projected closer Curtis Johnson, who was in 31 games this past season.
Projected rotation member Will Atwood threw two innings, and that was because he essentially pleaded for the ball.
Others, including Jay Brown and Jordan Costner, were limited as they return from injuries.
"We've got some guys that have been in the program that we expect to do big things for us that we didn't see," Tanner said. "We've got to count on those guys when the season starts."
Tanner hinted that pitching will be the element that determines how deep of a tournament run the Gamecocks can make. USC has fallen one win shy of the College World Series the past two seasons.
"(Offensively and defensively) we should be as good as anybody, quite frankly," Tanner said.
"Pitching-wise, we've got to make some jumps. ... We need for those guys to elevate individually and as a group."
He then mentioned Cisco first. The Wando graduate is 13-7 with a 3.90 ERA in his first two years at USC. More importantly, perhaps, Cisco has pitched in the postseason each year.
Tanner said it wasn't too difficult to initially convince Cisco to take a break. As time went on, and he watched his teammates participate, it got tougher. At least until he thought about the potential dividends.
"It was hard," Cisco said. "I was kind of begging to get out there. But I know it'll be better in the end."
Havens OK
Junior shortstop Reese Havens injured ligaments in his left hand fielding a ball during fall work, but he's doing better now.
The team was concerned he would need surgery, but the injury wasn't that severe. He's already out of the soft cast he wore for a period.
Havens had a terrific summer in the Cape Cod League. He batted a team-high .314. Tanner has said Havens is a player USC is considering to bat in the leadoff spot.
Welcome freshmen
Tanner said two freshmen, in particular, jumped out during fall practice. As a result, Justin Hopper and Whit Merrifield are now among the favorites to start, respectively, in left and center field. Tanner described Harley Lail as a "staple" in right field.
Hopper surprised Tanner with his ability to hit during the workouts. Merrifield was less of a shock, he said. Tanner thinks, with consistent playing time, he could lead USC in stolen bases this year.
Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com (thaney@postandcourier.com).