Catcher Hollenbeck the spark in Purple Dogs’ 2008 battery
Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008
An effective battery must have a source of ignition. For Fayetteville's battery, that spark has been senior catcher Dan Hollenbeck.
Hollenbeck is in his second season as the Purple Dogs' starting catcher after being thrust into the role last year. Hollenbeck was promoted to the first-team gig after the starting catcher was dismissed from the team in the first week of the season. And the Purple Dogs didn't miss a beat with Hollenbeck as the new backstop.
"I knew there was a chance for me to get some nonconference playing time before last season so I prepared like I was going to be the starter," Hollenbeck said. "When my chance came, I just tried to relax and play baseball like I know how and it all just fell into place for me."
Fayetteville coach Vance Arnold said Hollenbeck's ability to successfully fill the void after the dismissal was key to the Purple Dogs' second-straight state championship run in 2007.
"Dan's a perfectionist and he was prepared to take on the job and was ready when he had to take it," Arnold said. "He's an extremely hard worker and did a great job for us behind the plate last year when we really needed him to step up."
Hollenbeck will start at least one game in every 7 A-West doubleheader and plays third when not behind the plate. Hollenbeck said he doesn't mind venturing out to third and never exhibited disdain last season when Arnold deployed a designated hitter for him in 7 AWest games.
"I just try to work hard and do anything I can to help us win games," Hollenbeck said. "I'm not a person who complains and I try to make the best out of any situation that's given to me and do what the coaches ask."
Hollenbeck's selfless approach hasn't gone unnoticed.
"He's a role model for the younger kids with his work ethic and attitude," Arnold said. "Dan's a leader and you can't have enough kids like that on your team. The others see his desire and where it got him and they want to imitate that."
But now the senior is catching on offensively as well.
Hollenbeck batted. 240 last season in just 25 at-bats but he reached base 15 times in 31 total plate appearances and scored seven runs. His sophomore campaign began with a bang when he swatted a pair of homers in a tournament in Shreveport, La. He hit. 250 (7 of 28 ) with two homers, eight walks, nine runs scored and six RBIs.
This season Hollenbeck is hitting. 300 (6 for 20 ) and has scored eight runs and banged a pair of doubles. He went 2 for 3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in his last outing, a wild, 10-9 win over Springfield (Mo. ) Kickapoo last Saturday.
"I don't like to put my individuals goals ahead of the team," Hollenbeck said. "Hitting. 300,. 400 and racking up stats is nice, but I don't get concerned about that during the season. If I play like I'm capable of, then all of that will fall into place."
Hollenbeck's most key offensive contribution has simply been working the count and getting on base. He's second among regulars with a. 595 on-base percentage. Hollenbeck, like many catchers, sometimes uses a courtesy runner and his spot in the order has netted the most stolen bases (11 in 12 attempts ) because of his ability to find his way on to the base paths.
"His on-base percentage is astronomical," Arnold said. "He gets hit by pitches a lot, walks and has had his share of catcher's interference on his swing so he helps us in a number of ways. Every time you look up he's on base doing something great."
Hollenbeck and the Purple Dogs next play Tuesday at Springdale High in a 7 A-West twinbill at 4 p.m.
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