Battista adjusting to minors
by Melissa Chodan
Published on August 16, 2005 under Florida Complex League (FLCL)
Mets
For most ball players, the game of baseball is a big part of their lives. They go through little league, high school and college with much of their free time devoted to enhancing their ability.
However, there was always school, friends and other distractions that kept the game from controlling their life.
But the amateur aspect of the sport completely redevelops when a player signs a professional contract with a team. The game seemingly becomes their main focus, passion and ultimately their life.
Right-hander Mike Battista is currently undergoing that change with the Gulf Coast League Mets.
"The biggest difference I would say at this level is the amount (of work) that you put in, in one day," Battista said.
"I've never had such a full day of baseball. We leave to the field at 6:30 (am) and the pitchers are conditioning by 7:45. We don't get back to the hotel until 6 o'clock. It's a long day. Typically we condition, we lift, then we have warm-up, then we have practice, then we have our game. That's six days a week, Monday through Saturday."
Battista graduated from Kean University, a Division III school in northeastern New Jersey, this past May where he served as the ace of the nationally ranked No. 10 Kean Cougars.
Kean plays in one of the top conferences in the division, the New Jersey Athletic Conference, which is annually home to many nationally ranked teams.
Being a Division III school, it was scarcely noticed by scouts and there was rarely more than a few dozen people in the crowd. Getting noticed by someone besides an opposing coach was virtually impossible.
"As a whole I feel that Division III baseball does get overlooked a lot because there's a stigma that people have that it's not a good level of baseball which is totally untrue," Battista said. "After playing it for four years, there are a lot of good players."
Despite the outside misconceptions of the division, the competition was fierce. Battista often matched up against other nationally ranked teams and came out victorious. He dominated in his senior campaign going 9-1 with a 1.90 ERA, allowing less then a man on base per inning and boasting a 5-1 strikeout to walk ratio.
His commanding stats earned him various honors including All-NJAC First Team, New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association All-State First Team, Mid-Atlantic Region NCAA Division III American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region Baseball First Team and ABCA /Rawlings NCAA Division III Second Team All-American honors.
And with Battista's ability to throw a variety of pitches for strikes, it became seemingly impossible for him to be overlooked by scouts. He throws a fastball that tops out in the high 80's and is able to keep hitters off balance by spotting his curveball, change-up and slider for strikes.
"I don't throw as hard as some of these guys, especially at this level," Battista said. "I'm going to have to get by, by hitting my spots and throwing all my pitches for strikes. That's what has to get me by because I'm never going to be that power pitcher. It's not in me I could never throw that 98, 92 mile per hour fastball."
So far it has been working out for the talented hurler. After a two-month layoff from throwing before signing with the Mets, Battista is still in the process of getting his arm strength back up.
In his time with the GCL Mets, he has seen limited action in relief but has already managed to record his first career victory. On Aug. 11 he pitched two scoreless innings of relief against the GCL Nationals to secure the win.
His consistent control can be seen in the single walk he has allowed, while striking out 12 in his 13.2 innings of work.
As the season progresses his velocity will undoubtedly increase, so will the amount of innings he sees. And with Battista's talent and desire, it looks like only a matter of time before he climbs to the top of the baseball pendulum.
"Now that I've been given this chance I'm not going to have it taken away because I'm not working hard enough," Battista said. "If I'm not good enough, that's fine. My talent can only take me so far. I'm never going to be sent home because someone says âhe's lazy and he doesn't want to work hard and try new things.' The opportunity is enough to bust my ass everyday."
Florida Complex League Stories from August 16, 2005
- Battista adjusting to minors - OSC Original by Melissa Chodan
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
