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A Stroke Of (Hitting) Genius
5/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2001
By Bob Gosman
Boca Raton News
FAU shortstop Bobby Spano's junior season turned around thanks to one particularly beneficial batting practice session before the Owls' March 27 game against Harvard.
At the time, Spano was struggling mightily at the plate. Spano, who switch-hit some in high school, had often talked about trying to again at FAU. Associate head coach John McCormack suggested that Spano try hitting left-handed during batting practice and then in that night's game against Harvard's right-handed pitcher.
"Instead of just talking about it, I told him to try it," McCormack said. "He really had a nice swing, and I told him I'd square it with coach."
Owls coach Kevin Cooney had no problem with Spano trying to switch-hit.
"He was sturggling at the plate, and there was nothing to lose," Cooney said. "He was playing such tremendous defense that he was going to play even if he hit .120, but why not throw him a life preserver?"
Spano has not turned into Babe Ruth since he started switch-hitting, but he has become a much tougher out. Spano was batting .209 before the Harvard game, and since then he's hitting at a .290 clip. For the season, he has a .250 average with eight doubles.
Spano went 7-for-10 during FAU's three-game sweep of Jacksonville State last weekend, and earned Co-Trans America Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors in the process. All seven of his hits came when he hit from the lefthand side of the plate.
"My dad and coach McCormack wanted me to switch-hit, and I probably should have hit left-handed all my life," Spano said.
Spano was hitting No. 8 or No. 9 in the lineup before the change, but now he often leads off against right-handed pitchers. In fact, Spano, who went from a part-time starter at FAU to a full-time starter, leads the Owls with 34 walks.
"It's usually not too good of an idea to jump into (something) like this." FAU hitting coach Jim Lyttle said. "But he's very comfortable from the left-side of the plate, and he's more (selective). He gets seven or eight pitches almost every at bat. He's patient, and that's important."
However, Cooney knows Spano's most important contribution comes when he's holding a glove instead of a bat.
After losing shortstop Tomy Murphy to graduation, Cooney needed Spano to step right in and play solidly at the infield's showcase position. Spano has responded with a .950 fielding percentage and has anchored the Owls' infield.
"I thought he was going to be like Bucky Dent and make every routine play but not the great play," Cooney said. "But he's gone to the hole and gotten guys and has ranged all the way to the second base side to get guys as well."
Spano has become a much more complete player since he started switch-hitting.
In fact, it might even be a blessing in disguise that Spano struggled so much at the start of the year. He will have a much better chance to get drafted after this season or next because of the fact that he is a switch-hitter.
"Everybody wants to be drafted, but that's something I try not to think about," Spano said. "I have a great deal of respect for the coaches here, and I'm just glad I'm getting a chance to play."
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