A summer position switch changed Jeremy Hazelbaker's career and made a world of difference last year for Ball State University.
Hazelbaker had a breakout season after moving from second base to center field. The move propelled him to becoming the Boston Red Sox's fourth round draft choice in May and the Cardinals to a Mid-American Conference West Division championship.
Now, coach Greg Beals is hoping for similar success after another summer position change.Kolbrin Vitek pitched and played third base and was named All-MAC last year at the at-large/utility position. This season, Beals will try his star at second base, filling a void created by Nate Fields' graduation.
"We're going to play Vitek at second base in attempts to make it easier on his arm between starts," Beals said. "It's a better fit while he's on the mound also."
Over the summer, Vitek played for Lake Erie in the Great Lakes League. He played second base, but did not pitch in order to rest his arm. Vitek had plenty of success at the plate, becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 23 years and garnering the title of top prospect.
Vitek's old position will likely be filled by freshman Steven Claypool.
The Michigan-native played second base in high school, but moved to third base this summer at Beals' request. Beals said also in the mix for the spot is sophomore Tim Issler, who filled in at third when Vitek pitched last year, and freshman Billy Wellman.
"Claypool is the leading candidate," Beals said. "He's played very well this fall."
All metal: The NCAA has indefinitely banned composite-barrel bats after tests revealed they can be easily manipulated to the hitters' advantage.
College baseball has used aluminum bats since 1975, but recently composite bats have become more popular. The bats combine aluminum with graphite, fiberglass and resilient plastic. The NCAA has found that the more use these bats get, the better they perform.
Beals said some Cardinals used composite bats.
"Every team in the country had some of them in use," Beals said.
Various Web sites offer to "roll" the bats, in effect breaking them in quicker and leading to more pop in the bat.
Beals said the ban is good for the sport.
"It eliminates any thoughts, concerns, questions that the bats are still intact," Beals said. "In the big scheme, it doesn't affect Ball State and shouldn't affect the college game of baseball."
An extra year: Sophomore Justin Warrington threw just 18 innings before suffering a shoulder injury that shut him down for the rest of last season.
Ball State will petition the NCAA for a medical redshirt for the left-hander. Beals said the paperwork is completed, but the case won't be reviewed until after Warrington's senior year.
"It's kind of weird," Beals said. "The NCAA won't evaluate it unless it comes to fruition right now."
Last year Warrington had a 2.00 ERA and struck out eight batters. He made two starts and four relief appearances.
Beals is confident that the fifth year will be granted when the time comes.
Rounding third: Beals is pleased with how the Cardinals' roster is shaping up this year.
Ball State lost only two everyday starters and one member of its weekend rotation. Also gone is left-handed setup man Tom Mueller.
"It's nice to do these interviews and not have to talk about lot of holes we have to fill," Beals said. "We're defending West champions and we've got an awful lot of that team back. I'm excited about the prospects of the season coming up."
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