By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
The mental and physical challenge of playing catcher is immense — so much so that former longtime big league catcher Herold “Muddy” Ruel coined the phrase “tools of ignorance” to refer to the protective equipment worn by those who suit up behind the plate.
Los Fresnos is backstopped by sophomore Jacob Sandoval. Since earning the starting job this season, he has performed the several vital, sometimes dangerous and often unheralded roles catchers are tasked with: being an agile and flexible barrier to absorb off-target baseballs, a cannon to keep baserunners honest, a confidant and an encouraging voice to the Falcons’ pitching staff, and effective mediator relaying signals from the dugout to the infield.
That’s to say nothing of Sandoval’s hitting prowess, which was on display in a 4-2 area round win over Laredo United on Friday in the Class 6A playoffs.
Sandoval drove home three of the four Falcon runs as Los Fresnos advanced to the regional quarterfinal round, which begins at 7 p.m. tonight with a best-of-three series against Laredo United South in Roma.
He said the Los Fresnos coaching staff helped him fine-tune his batting stance before the start of District 32-6A play, which used to feature a high leg kick until the Falcons helped him to hone a more efficient swing.
“I opened up my stance and just threw my hands (toward the ball),” Sandoval said. “It took me like two weeks to make that adjustment, to get that momentum going where I could hit the ball in that stance.”
Much like Sandoval learned to throw his hands toward the ball as a hitter, he learned an equally important lesson in conquering his initial fear of dropping down out of the catcher’s crouch to go after balls in the dirt behind the plate.
“I knew that when I came here, in order to be better I had to block the ball,” Sandoval said. “Coach starting training us and I would block every single ball, or at least try my best to.”
Sandoval’s ability to concentrate in on his myriad responsibilities as the captain of the Los Fresnos infield seems to be reflected in the play of his teammates.
“Our focus is just to get the outs that we need,” Sandoval said. “To do the simple things, play small ball, and just do what we’ve got to do, finish what we’ve got to finish.”
His most important tool in his arsenal is his sharp mind, which allows him to play loose and without fear, knowing he and his teammates are well prepared by head coach Rene Morales to handle any situation they might face.
“I just play the game and whatever happens, happens,” Sandoval says. “I just play it out; I just keep my mind clear and do what I have to do. It’s much harder than it seems, but you’ve just got to relax and do your job behind the plate.”