THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9604300135
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
WHEN GRANBY baseball coach Vince Zebro talks about Ryan McFadden's makeup, he's not referring to eye shadow and lipstick.
``His desire, his work ethic, his approach to the game. That's what people love about Ryan,'' Zebro says. ``They talk about his makeup even before his physical ability.''
It hasn't always been that way. McFadden, who was batting .467 with 15 runs scored and nine RBIs through 10 games, was about as popular as Albert Belle at a photographer's convention midway through last season.
McFadden wasn't hitting very well, and he was handling it even worse.
``I was throwing stuff around and being a jerk,'' he said. ``I had to realize that baseball is a game where you are going to fail more than you succeed at the plate.
``Until somebody stopped me, I didn't realize it was hurting me.''
That somebody was Zebro.
``I called him in and gave him an ultimatum,'' Zebro said. ``Either change immediately or I'm cutting you loose. He came in the next day and told me, `Everything you said was on the money.' We haven't had a problem since.''
McFadden finished strong last season and was voted a team captain this year. The role fits.
Ask what pleases him most about this season and he doesn't mention the batting average, the extra base hits or the partial scholarship he signed last week with Radford.
``What's pleased me is that nobody quits on this team,'' he said. ``We have about half the talent of last year, but everybody wants to play. That makes a difference.''
The Comets are 8-2-1 and have been ranked in the Top 10 most of the season.
A big reason for that is McFadden, who has played shortstop, third base, pitcher and centerfield.
He says he doesn't have a favorite position, but the one-on-one dynamics of pitching appeal to his competitive nature.
``I like to beat somebody,'' he said. ``That's what makes it fun.''
McFadden will have to find other ways to compete in college.
Radford plans to try him at third base. William and Mary, the other school he seriously considered, took one look at his powerfully built 6-1, 190-pound frame and saw a catcher.
McFadden, who carries a 3.1 grade point average and will graduate 33rd in a class of 268, wasn't thrilled about that.
``Radford offered more money, and I like their facilities,'' he said.
McFadden's best stretch came in the Hampton Roads Invitational at Oscar Smith. He was 7 for 10 with a double, a triple and four RBIs in victories over Oscar Smith, Bayside and Western Branch.
McFadden credits his hot start to better hitting mechanics.
``I've learned to throw my hands (through the hitting zone) and hit the ball where it's pitched instead of trying to pull everything,'' he said.
The next time Granby played played Western Branch, McFadden was walked intentionally.
``Their assistant coach smiled and said `What did you expect us to do,' '' Zebro said.
MAURY CAN TAKE command of the Eastern District race with victories Tuesday over Booker T. Washington and Friday over Lake Taylor.
The Commodores (9-3, 3-0) held a one-game lead over Lake Taylor entering the week. A sweep this week would give them a two-game lead with three to play.
Maury has received strong starting pitching from Rick Hart and Taylor Blair.
Hart is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA and Blair is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA.
``Pitching depth was a concern entering the season, but Rick and Taylor have been able to work deep into every game they've started,'' Maury coach Gary Masterson said.
Blair also has helped himself at the plate where is he batting .423.
LAKE TAYLOR ran off three straight district wins after its loss to Maury. The Titan's Robbie Hale is 5-1 on the mound and leads the district with three home runs. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by ROBIN BRINKLEY
Through 10 games, Granby's Ryan McFadden was batting .467 with 15
runs scored and nine RBIs.
by CNB