St. John's University Athletics
Throwing Strikes With Anthony Varvaro
3/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 15, 2005
Every week through the end of the regular season, junior pitcher Anthony Varvaro will chronicle the 2005 St. John's baseball season in a journal on www.RedStormSports.com.
On how the team has been playing so far...
"I think we've been struggling a bit as a whole. The pitchers are starting to come together. The hitters are in a bit of a slump, but I'm sure in time, that's going to catch up. I know we didn't get off to the start that we had hoped for, but we actually got off to a better start this year (6-7) than we did last year (5-8). Knowing how much talent we have on this team, we all know that we can turn it around. It's just going to take some time. The first couple of trips, we struggled, but I'm confident we can bounce back."
On coming back home to play....
"We're just hoping we can get out there, that the weather will cooperate and that the field will be in good condition. It gives us a lot of confidence (playing at home). It's going to be a difference because we've been playing in warm weather, and then we were playing in a dome. I don't know what the weather is going to be like, but if we can get out there and play like we know we can, then we'll be fine. We know how to play field and we're very comfortable there."
On playing in the Metrodome last weekend...
"It was a little weird because the weather outside was really cold. Going to the game on Friday it was snowing outside. You can't describe the feeling. Being in a Major League park and being able to see how big it was...the place was just huge. I can't imagine what it'd be like to play in front of a full house. Even thought there weren't a lot of people there, and you could hear everything, it was still exciting and I still had some butterflies."
On playing on a Major League field...
"I liked it because the mound was perfect. There were no holes and, as a pitcher, you felt so comfortable. It's just a better mound. Every time you play on a field like that or a minor league field, it's definitely an experience. I was doing conditioning inn the outfield and I stopped in center and just looked up. It was amazing."
On his superstitions...
"I'm very superstitious. Anything I do, I will try to repeat it if things go well for me. From the route I run to the mound every inning, if I do well that time, I'm going to try and retrace my steps. When the national anthem is playing, I'll put my hat on at a certain time right before the end. When I put my cleats on, it's at a certain time. I'm very regimented before a game. I've been that way since I came to St. John's. I try to time everything and have it right on schedule. I like giving myself 45 minutes. I won't leave the dugout until it's time. I want to stay focused and not lose concentration. I don't want to put my guard down."
On going to school and playing baseball at St. John's...
"I like being able to go to class and then going to work out and play baseball. You can't ask for much more than that. It's important to have good team chemistry and we have a great group of guys here. Over my three years here, the coaches have been a big part of everything I've done. It's really helped me become a better pitcher. I've definitely seen a difference in my level of play and the team's play. We work hard every year, but I think we've picked it up this year."
On his highlight of the season so far...
"Even though I lost, my last start against Louisiana-Lafayette (when he struck out a career-high 13 batters). I didn't have the best warm-ups, but once I got to the second batter, I felt really good. I saw how far behind the second batter was on my fastball and it gave me a lot of confidence. I knew they were a really good team (ranked No. 20 in the country) and I knew I had my work cut out for me, but after a couple of innings, I felt like I had control. I didn't throw much more than my fastball and my curve ball all day. At times, I felt like I knew they couldn't hit the pitch I was throwing. I don't think I've ever felt like that in a game, including the BIG EAST Tournament last year."
