Carbone keeps players loose

by Rob Peirce
THE POST

Whether it's a simple joke to the media that puts his team in perspective or a late-inning move that helps the Bobcats win, it's clear Ohio baseball Head Coach Joe Carbone knows baseball.

"He's one of the most intelligent coaches I know, along with (Associate) Coach (Bill) Toadvine, when it comes to baseball," first baseman Jeff Rook said.

Although Carbone said he's an old-school coach and hasn't changed much in his 12 years as the Bobcats skipper, Rook said he has noticed a looser Carbone than the one he first played for as a freshman in 1997.

"When I came in my freshman year, it was a little military-like," Rook said. "Every year I think he's lightened up a little bit. He was a little more loose this year."

Carbone joked about players who are smaller than him, bear a similar-sounding name or are from Michigan.

The coach didn't just joke, however. He helped the Bobcats make a run at a Mid-American Conference Championship; though they fell short in the tournament, losing to Miami twice. Had the Bobcats beaten Miami in the second tournament match-up, they would have seen the MAC title game again.

Although Carbone admits the '97 team was more talented than this year's, it still boasts plenty of skills.

"Coaching was easy this year," he said. "But we did face some adversity the whole year."

Several injuries handicapped Ohio throughout the course of the season, but the Bobcats coped.

"We just plugged all those little holes during the season," Carbone said. "I feel proud of the team for that."

Carbone responded by juggling his line-up. Catcher Jeremy Johnson played first base. Shortstop Brian Wingfeld played in the outfield. Third baseman Joe Carlone played at short. And Rook played third base, outfield and pitched along with playing his normal position.

On the hill, four more complete games and two more shutouts were thrown this year. Looking back, Carbone said he should not have hesitated as much to go to his bullpen.

"What was different (this year) was we felt we needed to get the starters out of there, and we didn't do it," he said. "But I think they were all better pitchers for it."