Joe Carpanzano likes his lineup. He sees promise in his pitching staff. But, the third-year coach thinks his greatest strength may have little to do with any of his line-drive hitters or hard-throwing right-handers.
“There’s a certain cohesiveness we have,” he said. “A lot of the kids have been playing together for a long time. They are very proud of the team. They wear their jackets to school and I think that swagger is what’s going to get us wins this year.”
Addams graduated star pitcher Jimmy Bermudez, hot-hitting shortstop Alex German and dependable centerfielder Joel Gonzalez. With those three, the Jaguars managed just a 6-10 mark in their first season in Bronx A West, arguably the best division in the city.
What Addams may lack in such star power, it makes up for in experienced seniors. Captains Jeevanand Tirlokie, a pitcher/centerfielder, and first baseman/catcher Gilbert Rodriguez are both three-year starters, as is junior catcher/ace Edwin Lebron. Donte Corretjer hasn’t seen much playing time, but has been with the Jaguars the last three years, has improved and should help offensively and on the mound.
“The comfort level is very high,” Tirlokie said. “We play as a team, we don’t worry about mistakes. We’re like a brotherhood.”
One newcomer has opened eyes thus far. Freshman shortstop Miguel Vandenhouse, who replaced German, now at Odessa College in TX. with Bermudez, has displayed a fine glove, quick bat and speed to burn.
“You can see the way he carries himself, he’s a good player,” Carpanzano said. “He has a real good sense for the game.”
Carpanzano is confident, but concerned nonetheless. After taking Addams to the PSAL Class B semifinals in 2008 he was against moving up to the ‘A’ division. Addams doesn’t have a field on school grounds, has to use other school’s facilities to practice, which often leads to slow starts. Their home field – at Crotona Park – is only open to them on game days. Even matching last year’s 6-10 record, the coach said, may be difficult.
“There really need to be criteria for things like that,” he said of moving up. “I think we will have some success, but we’re not gonna have the same kind of success. I’m very happy with the group. I have a bunch of really good boys who work very hard, come in three a week early in the morning to get training, practice every single day three hours after school.”
His players, however, don’t mind seeing the likes of John F. Kennedy, Lehman and Gompers twice a year.
“I don’t regret it,” Tirlokie said. “Me and my teammates love competition.”