29 July, 2005

Player review

Emmanuel Burriss 

Crime doesn't pay, except in baseball. Emmanuel Burriss of Orleans has used thievery, 32 bases worth, as a ticket to the Cape League All-Star Game. 

"It's really exciting, it's especially for me since I came up here as a temporary player," said Burriss. "To make it to the All-Star Game as a temp is great. My coach called up, he wanted me up here." 

Burriss is a Kent State man. They have a good program but not a high profile one. 

"We're in the upper northeast and it's hard to get a lot of recognition," Burriss said. "The key for me is to just stick to what works for me and not do anything that's not my style; steal bases, use my arms and legs. If I tried to do too much I wouldn't be here." 

Orleans is a good place to be, too. 

"This is a great place," he said of Orleans. "My parents love it more than I do. There are a lot of nice people here. Orleans is fun, it's incredible." 

Burriss' stolen bases are catching most eyes. He broke the Orleans team record of 27 some time ago. His total of 32 in 35 games is more than double that of second place Jim Rapaport of Y-D, who has 15. He has been caught 13 times as the opposition is now aware of who he is. 

Even when he's not stealing he causes infielders to rush throws on ground balls and alter what they do with the ball when he's on base. Burriss is a disruptive force the minute he steps into the batter's box. 

'What I do is what I do all year long," Burriss said. "Find a gap, place the ball there. If I can't do that use my speed to beat out a base hit. I have changed my lead (off base). I've made it a little shorter because these pitchers have good moves and work on that. But not at the plate." 

To steal a lot of bases you have to get on base and Burriss has 43 hits in 140 at bats, a .307 average. 41 of those are singles. 

He's here to learn and improve and to compete against the top college players. 

"These are the best players, you're playing against guys at the top level," he said. "I'm just excited to be an All-Star. I don't want to try to do too much. I can't wait to see all the great players there. I'll try to do the best I can. It was a surprise, it wasn't sure I'd make it, but a good surprise."

Steven Wright 

When Steven Wright appears on the stage it's not time for comedy, it's lights out. The righty from Hawaii may share his name with the deadpan comic but he' not joking on the mound. 

Wright has served as the Cardinals closer and in 16 games has a 2-0 record, 0.95 ERA and 10 saves, tied with Derrick Lutz of Chatham for the league lead. 

"It's definitely an honor, there are definitely a lot of good players out there," he said of his selection. "It's always a goal but I wasn't expecting it." 

It's deserved. Wright has given up just 11 hits in 19 innings while fanning 27. Not bad for someone in a new job. Wright was a long reliever at Hawaii. 

"I'm probably more aggressive (as a pitcher). They stuck me in the closer role so I go all out for one or two innings. It's definitely fun. You got a lot of adrenaline going and a lot of excitement in the game," he said. "Games are not won in the first seven innings they're won in the eighth and ninth." 

Wright is a stocky 6-2 209-pound power pitcher. 

"My fast ball is my best pitch, it's been measured at 96 mph," he said. 

He's glad to bring that heat to the Cape League. 

"This is a great opportunity to play against the best players in the Nation. It's what everybody in college dreams about and I'm living a dream," he said. "This is one of the best crowds and the organization is great, Sue (Horton) does so much for us. That makes it fun. The coaches are the most understanding coaches I've played for. This team is unbelievable. Everybody gets along. Every guy contributes. Each guy has played a key role each game. We've lost a couple pitchers and other guys have stepped up." 

Wright is taking the opportunity to learn. 

"I just want to improve my game and if I improve my game everything else will fall into place. I've done starting, I've done middle relief and now closing," he said. "I just want to pitch. It doesn't bother me when I'm pitching. I just want the ball in my hand."

Colin Curtis 

Orleans' Colin Curtis has fewer at bats than most All-Stars, just 69. The Arizona State outfielder played deep into the College World Series, then headed off to Team-USA tryouts. As a result he missed the first 15 games of the Cape League season. 

But he's made up for lost time. Curtis was hitting .333 with 15 runs scored 
a fast pace) He's hit five doubles and has seven stolen bases. 

"I was fortunate enough to go to the College World Series and I got up a little late but it's been a fun experience so far. I got a chance to go to the All-Star Game too," Curtis said. "I'm really lucky this year. With a couple of great opportunities. It's a great honor to play with all of these guys." 

Curtis has another edge. He was here last year, batting .223 in 179 at bats for the Cardinals. 

"At the Team-USA trials we used wood there so I got a week swinging wood, and I played for Orleans last summer," he noted. "I'm playing better this summer. I'm a year older and I have more experience. My first year helped me out this year." 

He's now a veteran with wood. 

"This year with wood bats I'm a lot more focused on hitting on the barrel rather than just hitting it hard. I think that helps a lot of guys zone in," Curtis said. "I concentrate on hitting every pitch on the barrel and not taking any bad swings. And on playing good and having fun. This is a good team to play for." 

The Cardinals (23-12) have done as well as anyone could have hoped. 

"We've got a lot of good players," Curtis said. "We've got a lot of guys who enjoy playing every day. Sometimes the summer gets long but we've got guys who come out and play. Everyone gets along. There are a lot of West Coast guys here." 

Curtis believes he's well suited for the Cape League.

"I'm a gap to gap guy. I don't hit an overwhelming number of home runs. I just hit it hard in the gaps and that suits the game up here well," he said. 

Curtis will head back to Arizona State for his junior season. 

"I just want to become a better player. You don't get better just hitting in a cage. Extra at bats in the summer help," he said.