RIDER UNIVERSITY CLUB BASEBALL

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.- Winter workouts will start up Wednesday for Rider's Club Baseball team as they get ready to attack the spring season after a disappointing fall.

            The club baseball team at Rider University has been around now for about eight years and for the first time last year they made the division II playoffs.

            Hopes were high coming into this season as a repeat of last season was the goal for the team the aspirations fell short when the team started off the fall season with a 1-5 record in their division.

            "We would play down to other teams levels," said Club President Daniel O'Hara with a little bit of disgust. "In order to turn it around in the spring we just need to string together a full game of baseball and turn the games around instantly not letting mistakes get us down."

            Rider's club team combined for 22 errors in the fall season and with this sloppiness the team looks to step up their play.

            "What I'm going to work on through the winter season is our work ethic," said O'Hara. "I have a different style than our president last year, but one of the areas where I can be more firm is just getting on people."

            Pete Butrico, teammate and roommate, thinks that the team could also use a strong work ethic and "take countless reps."

            O'Hara's work ethic consists of a lot of cardio and core exercises and lifting on a daily basis, while throwing in the off season just enough to keep the arm loose but not as intense as during the season.

            He is the ace of the staff and needs to be in prime condition for throwing as many pitches as he needs to win the game.

            "I love controlling the pace of the game," said O'Hara. "I just love being in control of the game and being one of the leaders out on the field and carrying your team deep into a game, there is no better feeling."

            Growing up idolizing guys like second baseman Chase Utley and ace pitcher Roy Halladay, both positions O'Hara plays, he fell in love with their leadership skills on and off the field giving him the easy decision to become the club president and use his own leadership skills to better the team.

            Butrico's off season workouts are different from O'Hara's, consisting of lifting on a constant basis and hitting frequently in the cage in order to get his "mechanics where they need to be."

            Butrico, also the starting shortstop, grew up idolizing Derek Jeter. "I was emotionally devastated when he retired," he added.

            Never playing another position in his life because he wanted to be just like Jeter, and "the captain of every team I played on."

            O'Hara said, "we just have to come in and work hard if we want to be successful," with this ball club looking to turn things around this spring.

Chris Romano

2/6/15