Next season has begun for Pats through Legion ball
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

For Frank Gualtieri and the Freehold Township America Legion Senior team, the 2008 high school season has begun.

"We've told our players that the summer season is not an extension of the high school season," he said. "It's an audition for next season."

Gualtieri and his coaching staff are getting a good look at players who would have been prospects to make the team next year, as well as another look at the returning underclassmen who will be the team's foundation. The Patriots are coming off a 12-10 high school season in which, despite graduating the pitchers who won 18 of the team's 19 wins the previous year, they made the state playoffs and Shore Conference Tournament.

With the momentum from the high school season, the Patriots expect to be a contending team in the 19-team American Legion. They are off to a 3-3 start.

There are three players in particular who are drawing Gualtieri's attention this summer - Dan Klinsky, Chris Giraldo and Tom Wojciechowski. All were sophomores last year and saw limited playing time or none.

Klinsky has made the biggest impact because he did not play at all during the scholastic season. He dislocated his shoulder prior to the start of the season and was not ready to play until the summer. He has shown what the Pats missed without him in 2007.

"He's a lead-off hitter," said Gualtieri. "He's a scrappy fighter. He sets the table as the lead-off man. He's the kind of kid who gets everyone going. We missed him at the top of the lineup this year."

Giraldo, a catcher, saw limited playing time during the high school season and is now beginning to demonstrate his potential as an everyday backstop. Wojciechowski was in the same boat as Giraldo during the high school season, sitting behind a senior starter at first base. He's been a pleasant surprise, displaying some pop with the bat.

"He has the potential to be a power hitter," said Gualtieri.

The play of Klinsky, Giraldo and Wojciechowski has been very encouraging and a sign that the Patriots will be in good shape come next spring. Pitcher Austin Henderson has brought a smile to Gualtieri's face as well. Like the others, he was a sophomore this spring. Because the starting rotation was set, Gualtieri used him as a reliever, and in his final 17.1 innings, he allowed just one run. Gualtieri is getting a look at the left-hander as a starter this summer and likes what he has seen. In a recent 13-0 win over Rumson, Henderson tossed a five-inning one-hitter.

"He has a world of potential," said Gualtieri. "He has an above-average fastball and a very good curve. He can be a little wild, but his control is improving.

"He's exceeded our expectations," he added.

Gualtieri has what will be his pitching rotation for next spring during the Legion season. Henderson joined Matt Grajek (who was the ace of the Patriot staff with a 5-3 record) and Matt Cadigan as the starters with Klinsky filling Henderson's role in relief.

The American Legion season is all about preparing for the 2008 season. This is where, Gualtieri pointed out, the players learn what it takes to win and how to go about it.

"Winning games is the result of hard work and playing smart," said Gualtieri. "There's a consistency that you need to be very good.

"You have to battle for seven innings," he added.