THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120223
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
J .C. CAPERTON sat in the first base dugout at Nansemond River after practice Wednesday morning talking, while his coach and teammates used rakes and shovels to prepare a soggy field for the next day's home opener against Booker T. Washington. It was spring break, but the Warriors were still working.
And it was probably the first time in a long time that Caperton, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound senior shortstop, was near a baseball field and not working - whether it was shoveling mud or scooping up any ground ball that came close to him.
``He's always been a hard worker,'' Nansemond River coach Phil Braswell said. ``You can always find him out here at the ballfield working on his game.''
The past year was no different for Caperton, who goes by the initials for James Caperton.
``I lifted weights more, hit off the tee and inside (during winter),'' he said. ``I wanted to prepare myself for the season, and this offseason I did more than I ever have before.''
Judging from the first six games of the season, the work has paid off. Caperton is batting .438 with nine stolen bases and 10 walks, while striking out just once for the Warriors, who were ranked No. 6 in South Hampton Roads and had a 5-1 record before Thursday's game.
``I've been more patient at the plate,'' said Caperton, who is batting in the leadoff spot. ``It's the first time I've ever led off, and that makes me be patient and focus on getting on base and drawing more walks. (Leading off) has helped me a lot.''
The added pressure of leading off hasn't affected Caperton's solid defense, according to Braswell. The shortstop has one throwing error this season. Last year, Caperton committed just three errors all season in earning first team All-Region I and Bay Rivers and honorable mention all-state.
``He's a big-time defensive player,'' Braswell said. ``I wouldn't trade him for any shortstop in the state. I hate to think about him not being out there at shortstop next year. That's scary.''
Caperton, a four-year starter, moved to shortstop from third base as a sophomore. Braswell put all-state performer Brian Elms at second to give Caperton a chance at short.
``People said I was crazy, and I never thought I'd do that,'' Braswell said of moving Elms, now playing at Radford University. ``But (Caperton) never missed a beat. I never noticed I made the switch.''
Caperton's bat has been as steady as his defense. He hit .300 as a sophomore and .329 as a junior batting second or third in the lineup. He also had 23 stolen bases last season.
``Defense is the best part of my game,'' said Caperton, who moved to Suffolk from Mullins, W.Va., at age six, ``but I've been really working on hitting. It used to be I'd pull everything. Now, I'm adjusting real well in the box and hitting the ball to all fields.''
Caperton said that choosing a college before the season started took off some of the pressure he had been feeling. In January, the senior gave an oral commitment to Pfeiffer College, a Division II school 20 minutes from Charlotte, N.C.
``It's a lot easier to be able to relax and play without having to worry about impressing people,'' Caperton said. ``So far, it's been great. I've been able to get off to a good start.''
Caperton drew recruiting interest from Division I colleges, including Old Dominion, Radford and Virginia Commonwealth, but Pfeiffer offered him a chance to see plenty of playing time.
``I've never sat on the bench. A big thing was being able to step in and play right away,'' Caperton said. ``I wanted to get in and play somewhere. (Pfeiffer) is a laid-back place where I can play ball, go to school and focus on things I need to get done.''
One thing Caperton wants to accomplish now is getting Nansemond River back in the state tournament, where it lost last season in a semifinal, and earning first team All-State.
``Those are the highest goals, you might as well set them,'' he said.
Caperton didn't elaborate. He couldn't. His teammates and coach were getting angry watching him talk while they raked and shoveled.
``Get a big rake, J.C.,'' yelled Braswell from second base.
Time for Caperton to get back to work. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River's J.C. Caperton is batting .438 with nine stolen
bases and 10 walks, while striking out just once for the Warriors,
this season.
by CNB