ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 25, 1996 TAG: 9608270024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BASEBALL
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
Will Scalzitti knew he was sent to Class A ball to learn a new position. He just didn't know it would be sitting.
For four years he crouched. He was far more comfortable.
However, the Colorado Rockies decided it was time for a change, so shortly after inviting him to their spring training camp in Tucson, Ariz., they informed Scalzitti his future in their organization might not be behind the plate. First base was suggested as a nice place to play.
So, after beginning the year with the New Haven (Conn.) Ravens of the Class AA Eastern League, Scalzitti was shipped back to Class A ball to learn a new trade with the Salem Avalanche.
Since then, you've needed an all-points bulletin to find him.
``Everybody's wondering what happened to Will Scalzitti,'' he said.
He's been watching, mostly. He has played left field, first, catcher and designated hitter. Scalzitti had appeared in 68 games through Thursday and was hitting .208.
``This has been the toughest year of my pro career,'' he said.
With less than two weeks left in the season, Scalzitti may have caught his long-awaited break. Salem first baseman Nate Holdren was called up by New Haven on Wednesday, a move that leaves Scalzitti as the team's first baseman.
``I'm very happy about that,'' Scalzitti said. ``I'm happy Nate got the chance to go up. He's a professional, a real team player and a guy to look up to. I'm also happy with just the fact to go out and get some at-bats and some steady swings against live pitching. It's time to get back to business.''
Scalzitti, a native of Hollywood, Fla., has seen more highs and lows than a TV weatherman. The best part was going to spring training with the big club as a non-roster player.
``That was exciting,'' he said, ``especially when you believe they're so high on you.''
The worst was riding the bench with the Avalanche.
``That's been kind of tough to handle,'' he said.
Everywhere Scalzitti has turned, there have been several guys in purple pinstripes in his way. Blake Barthol and Mike Higgins have done the bulk of the catching. Left field has been more crowded than the Coors Field bleachers. And he couldn't get to first base with Salem.
``Catching is my true love,'' said Scalzitti, who played at Florida International University. ``That's where I'm most confident. Confidence is a big word for me now. Right now, I don't think the organization believes I can catch. I think I can catch and play other positions, also.''
Scalzitti's best stretch of his season came when he homered in four consecutive games in June. He has but two other home runs.
While waiting for his chance to play, he's filled other worthy roles for the club. He has been active in the community, speaking to youth groups and being the team's representative at most of the birthday parties and picnics at the ballpark.
Sitting on the bench has been no picnic, though.
``The transition from catching to first base isn't easy,'' he said. ``I've never played infield before.
``But you're a professional for a reason.''
SNOWBALLS: The Avalanche closes its season Friday through Sept.2 with a four-day, six-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats that includes back-to-back doubleheaders Saturday and Sept.1. Since the Hillcats are in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Northern Division, the teams are playing the twin doubleheaders to make up games that were rained out Aug.12-13. ...
For years, Salem fans have had the reputation of being hard on the home team - not that they don't have a reason to be disgusted with 17 consecutive losing half-seasons. This past week, Salem third baseman Tal Light grew frustrated with the crescendo of boos that has been growing louder with each of his 26 errors. Then, after bidding farewell to Salem with a game-winning, inside-the-park home run in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over Durham, Holdren summed up his two years in Salem by saying, ``The people were a little rough at times, but overall it was a pleasant experience. This is a great ballpark. It's just a shame we couldn't win more games.''
VALLEY BOY: Roanoke's Kelly Dampeer knew he'd be playing baseball this summer. He just thought it might be professionally.
Although he went undrafted following his junior year at Radford University, the Northside High School alumnus had a fine season in the Shenandoah Valley League, one of the country's top summer circuits for college players. Dampeer batted .264 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI while playing second base for the Staunton Braves.
The highlight of Dampeer's summer came when he was named most valuable player of the league all-star game after homering and doubling in the South's 8-3 victory. Performances like that helped ease the disappointment of not getting drafted.
``It was uplifting,'' said Dampeer, who stole 12 bases and had a .448 slugging percentage. ``I don't think I had a very good year at school. I came back and worked hard this summer and tried to get back on track.''
After setting a Radford record with 16 home runs to go with a .358 batting average in 1995, Dampeer slumped a bit this past spring, hitting .310 with seven homers.
When he didn't get drafted, Dampeer was pursued as a potential free-agent signee by a couple of clubs, including the Baltimore Orioles. He opted to return to Radford, where classes begin Monday.
``If it wasn't going to happen in the draft, I had decided to go back to school,'' said Dampeer, a physical education major. ``If I keep working hard, I think I'll get a chance.''
WAGNER HAMSTRUNG: The Houston Astros suffered a big blow when former Ferrum College fireballer Billy Wagner left Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of a pulled left groin.
``I don't know how long I'm going to be out. The last time I did this it was eight days,'' said Wagner, who had emerged as the Astros' closer. ``I can't believe this is happening right now. It couldn't have come at a worse time.''
HALL FOR ALL: The Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for inductees. Anyone wishing to make a nomination should send that person's name with a list of credentials to Bob Teitlebaum, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, 24010. To be considered for the Salem-Roanoke Hall, a player must have played in or be from Roanoke, Roanoke County or any adjoining county. Nominations will be accepted for two weeks.
LENGTH: Long : 112 linesby CNB