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Thursday, February 1, 2001
Purtell ‘walks’ College baseball teams depend on the contributions of walk-ons in an era of limited scholarships for the sport.
into lineup
The Rainbows' walk-on has
earned his spot on the
baseball teamRealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinThose contributions vary. Matt Purtell was a Hawaii walk-on last season and hit .164 in 33 games.
That's not much to write home about, but Purtell kept working. He showed the coaches enough to earn scholarship help this year and a spot at the top of the lineup, either as the designated hitter or the starting second baseman.
No one expects his batting average to remain a lofty .462. He did reach base eight times in 15 plate appearances last weekend, the kind of production expected of a leadoff batter.
"I've always been the guy at the top of the order, the guy in front of the big guys," said Purtell.
"Matt brings a dimension to the game. He is a scrappy, smart, intelligent guy who takes control in the field," said UH acting head coach Carl Furutani.
"He handles the bat well. His love and respect for the game is tremendous."
Purtell played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College, then spurned offers by hometown Division II power Sonoma State and Oregon State to come here.
He knew there were no guarantees, but a trip here with Santa Rosa his freshman year convinced him Hawaii was the place to continue his baseball career.
"It was my first trip to Hawaii and it made quite an impression on me," the 5-foot-8 senior said.
"Number one was the atmosphere, the college campus atmosphere. I was really surprised with the facility.
"This is what I thought college baseball should be. They told me how many fans come out and that was pretty exciting."
Purtell pitched a bit in high school, but has primarily been a middle infielder during his career. He says he is most comfortable at second base.
"Middle infield is about the only place a guy my height can play. The position was chosen for me. Luckily, I enjoy it," he said.
He views his position as one in which he can support teammates around him. As a senior, he feels it's his job to help underclassmen.
"I don't know if that's a leadership role or not," he said.
"With regard to knowing situations and how to do certain things and carry yourself on the field, that comes with playing college baseball."
The rule change requiring batters to try to get out of the way of a pitch doesn't bother Purtell.
"I've got concrete in my feet anyway so I don't know what else I can do," he said.
As for the 2001 season, he says he only knows how to play baseball one way. That's to go out and do what's expected of him.
"I expect a lot of myself, but what happens to the team is number one," said Purtell.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
