Published: July 05, 2008 09:27 pm         

NYCBL BASEBALL: Power trio to showcase all-star talents

After a treacherous first half of the season, Niagara Power manager Sam Kirby hopes his team will relax and recharge its batteries during the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s All-Star break.

The skipper is certain, though, that he — along with three of his players — will be doing just that come Monday when they make the nearly four-hour trek to Watertown for the annual NYCBL All-Star festivities.

“It’s a real fun, relaxing experience for everybody,” Kirby said. “No matter what your record is, you can still go out there and have some fun.”

Kirby, who will serve on Elmira manager and former Kansas City Royals draft pick Matt Burch’s coaching staff for the Western Division, will be joined by pitcher Matt Willett, outfielder Joe Durham and utility player Stewart Young. Those three, along with the rest of the Western players, will go through workouts in front of scouts beginning at 10 a.m. The Eastern Division will conduct their workouts Tuesday. Kirby said the players will be asked to do anything from batting practice to fielding ground balls to running from first to third base. While performance is certainly important, effort is often times the difference between no look and a second look from a scout.

“You’ve got to go hard all the time,” Kirby said. “You should never walk or even jog because often times if you’re on an even keel with another player and one guy sprints and one guy jogs, it makes the decision that much easier for the scout.”

Kirby also said pitchers are often much more of a high priority for scouts as the depth of arms can make or break an organization. That’s why Willett could get a good opportunity to showcase his talents during the bullpen sessions.

“He’s our project pitcher at the next level with his frame and the fact that he can throw three pitches pretty well,” Kirby said.

Durham and Young were both selected for their consistency and character, according to Kirby. The manager hopes that type of positive energy is showcased during their workouts.

A Home Run Derby will follow the scouting sessions with the All-Star Game slated for 7 p.m. at Duffy Fairgrounds. Kirby said he expects every position player to get at least three or four innings in the field and each pitcher to go about an inning. More importantly, he expects each and every player to have a blast.

“Players and fans alike enjoy it,” Kirby said. “It’s really professionally ran and it’s fun to be a part of.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.