By Brian Towey
Every time Keith Haack saunters out to the mound, it is with the slippery array of pitches and savvy that make the spindly righthander a natural fit at the top of any team’s rotation. But it wasn’t until a rash of injuries that the Queens College junior-to-be was bumped up to the head of the Metro Cadets’ rotation and into the limelight, a role Haack relishes.
“I like the limelight,” said Haack. “If we’re in a jam, I want to go into the game. If we’re in a tight spot, I tell coach to give me the ball.”
It is this bulldog-type mentality that has helped Haack anchor the Cadets’ injury-racked staff during the summer circuit. Haack closed out the regular season Saturday by tossing a 3-0, six-hit shutout win over the Scranton Red Sox, tying the Sox’ line-up in knots while recording 10 strikeouts.
The fact that Haack was the cause for countless scowls and winces by opposing batsmen as they trudged out of the batter’s box was nothing new. What was surprising was the run support provided by Haack’s teammates. The resident hard-luck pitcher on the Cadets’ staff has garnered less than a run of support from his line-up per outing.
“The lack of run support is actually better for me,” said Haack, who, despite an ERA hovering around 2.00 was only 2-5 on the summer, along with 60 strikeouts in 51 innings of work.. “I know I have to be sharper out there. It keeps me more focused.”
It is this type of attitude that made Haack a natural fit for the Cadets’ top spot when injury and circumstance wiped out their staff.
“He shows leadership on the field,” said Queens College head coach Frank Battaglia. “And he doesn’t get down on other players. He picks them up.”
“Without a doubt, he has the mental makeup of a top of the rotation pitcher,” said Cadets’ pitching coach Al Dolinsky. “He doesn’t get riled out there and he wants the ball in tough situations.”
While the Cadets’ summer swoon has relegated the team to the bottom of the pile in the Kaiser Division, often Haack would be trying to snap a losing streak during his starts. Despite the lack of offensive backing provided by his team, more than often he rose to the occasion.
“He has been the brightest spot on this team this year,” said Cadets’ head coach Mike Cuomo. “He’s just been a big pleasant surprise. Without a doubt, he’s the best pitcher on this team.”
Why has Haack been so effective? Along with the righthander’s mental toughness, Haack has good command over his pitches, and sports a fastball that has been clocked in the mid to upper 80’s.
“He throws strikes, he throws relatively hard and he has good control over three pitches,” said Dolinsky. “He’s also put a lot of time and effort into the game.”
“He has very good stuff,” said Battaglia. “He knows the game, and he knows how to pitch. He also changes speeds well, which helps him.”
While the summer session of hardball gives way to the fall chapter, Haack’s focus shifts from heading the Cadets’ staff to anchoring Queens’ rotation. After posting a 6-2 record with a 3.51 era out of the third slot in the Knights’ rotation, Haack will slide up to the top position on the staff next spring, a role Battaglia thinks he is more than ready for.
“He brings a lot [to the staff],” said Battaglia. “He was considered our No. 3 starter last season, but every time he was out there, he acted like No. 1. He’s going to step right into the No. 1 spot.”
Tops on Haack’s agenda will be to get the Knights back to the playoffs, a feat that has alluded the team for the past two years.
“I want to get back to the playoffs, since we haven’t done that in two years,” Haack said. “And I want to have my team in a position to win every game I start.”
While Haack has more pressing concerns to deal with in Queens’ postseason prospects, if the Long Island native continues his ascent up the ladder of local pitching prospects, there is a possibility his name could be called in next June’s draft.
“If he can keep throwing strikes,” said Cuomo, “and his velocity continues to improve, then yes, I could see him being a [professional] prospect.”
“My goal is to get drafted,” Haack said. “I’ll play anywhere. It doesn’t matter where. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right, whether it be summer league baseball or whatever. You don’t get the opportunity to play baseball for very long, so I think you should do it the right way when you still have the chance.”
Reach Reporter Brian Towey by e-mail at TimesLedgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
