Learning curve for Hottovy
July 17, 2003
By NICK SCHWIEN
Hays Daily News
As a pitcher, obviously it’s always better to earn a win rather than take a loss.
But Tommy Hottovy, a left-handed pitcher for the Hays Larks, also knows it’s important to learn every time out.
That’s one of the things he likes best about playing for Hays’ summer-collegiate baseball team.
“When you’re playing in front of a crowd like this against good teams night after night, you learn stuff every outing,” the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder said. “I feel if you don’t learn something every outing, then you’re really not competing at your highest level.”
Pitching at his highest level is something Hottovy has done the past two-plus seasons for the Larks. So far this summer, the Wichita State University product is 5-1 with a 2.72 earned-run average. His first loss of the season — and first since July 21, 2001 — came Tuesday against El Dorado. In 43 innings, he’s allowed 15 runs — 13 earned — and struck out 37 while walking only 10.
Hottovy was a big reason why Hays won its third consecutive Jayhawk League title this year, providing the Larks with a solid left-hander in the starting rotation.
“No one wants to go play away from home on a team that’s going to lose,” said the Parkville, Mo., native, who has been a part of all three league titles. “If the tradition hadn’t been started yet, I think we’ve made a good ... tradition here. Coming in, we heard about the ‘Larks Magic’ and the great tradition they’ve always had. But now — after three straight championships — it makes it pretty sweet. It’s something guys coming in next year will expect and want to continue.”
Hottovy helped the Larks to their second league title last year, posting a 7-0 record with a 2.09 ERA. In 601/3 innings, he allowed 15 runs — 14 earned — with 43 strikeouts and 20 walks. Opponents hit only .236 against the lefty in 2002.
In his first year with the Larks in 2001, Hottovy went 4-4 with one save and a 3.42 ERA. In 50 innings, he struck out 38, walked 17 and allowed 20 runs — 19 earned — while holding opponents to a .198 batting average.
“He’s been a big guy for us,” said Hays manager Frank Leo. “That first year as a freshman with us, he got some wins and got some playing time. But the next year, he became a big-time pitcher for us and is doing it again this summer.”
Hottovy was mostly used as a middle reliever for the Shockers last season, but was the type of pitcher that could deliver in any situation, said WSU assistant coach Brent Kemnitz — who’s in charge of the team’s pitching staff.
“He’s a guy that can shift the momentum of a game,” Kemnitz said. “He gave us a chance to get back in it and win it. We used (Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher) Darren Dreifort early in his career in the same role.”
That’s not too bad of company to be compared to. Dreifort has had a productive career in the major leagues despite battling through injuries.
But the switch from middle relief to a starting role — a move Hottovy has made the last two years with the Larks — hasn’t proven to be too difficult.
He usually threw about four or five innings in relief, so an adjustment in the summer isn’t that drastic. Hottovy estimates he throws probably 30 or 40 more pitches as a starter.
“It’s all about conditioning,” he said about the switch. “The first couple of times I might be a little stiff, but after that, you get used to it. There is a difference, but I love starting. That’s what I hope to do next year in school, and I think I’ve hopefully proven myself to the coaches that I can do that.”
Hottovy relies on four pitches, a two-seam and four-seam fastball, along with his changeup and a curveball. But Kemnitz believes Hottovy’s biggest asset is that he’s a team player and a leader on and off the field.
“He’s an ultimate, complete pitcher,” the WSU coach said. “He’s got a good feel for pitching.
“But he’s also an ultimate team guy. He can start, close, do middle relief. He does what he can for the team. I absolutely love the guy … He seems to work hard at everything he does.”
That work ethic and leadership on and off the field is one reason Leo likes the lefty as well.
“Tommy is part of the Larks’ tradition,” he said. “He’s proud to be a Lark, and he’s happy to come back here. He wants to come back here, and a lot of guys want a different experience. But Tommy knows what this program means to me and what it means to the community. He does a lot of little things well for us, and not only on the field. When he’s not pitching, he does a lot of things people don’t see day-to-day. He’ll jump in and do anything whenever needed to help the program be good both on and off the field.”
The team’s defense makes Hottovy that much more comfortable on the mound.
“It’s just one of those things,” he said. “When the team is playing well and everyone is playing well, you feel like you can do anything well. The biggest thing is being comfortable around all the guys. When I’m out there pitching, they expect me to do good. That’s the same thing when I’m pitching — I expect them to do good. I expect them to make the plays. When you think that highly of your teammates, that makes for great competition and for a great team. It makes it a blast when you win. It makes everybody’s night more enjoyable.”
And when the Larks make the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita each year, it’s just as enjoyable for the left-hander. He basically gets to pitch in front of a hometown crowd, with Wichita State being right next door.
“It’s beautiful because when you go there and they say, ‘Now pitching from Wichita State,’ and the crowd starts going nuts, that means something,” said Hottovy, who was 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA at WSU last season. “It makes it a little more comfortable atmosphere when you’re that close to home. We have great fans at Wichita State, just like here. They’re loyal, and they love to come out and watch us. If they hear we’re playing — even in summer ball — they’ll come out and watch.”
That makes his appearances in the World Series that much more memorable, especially pitching when the season is on the line.
“I’m the type of guy that just wants the ball in big situations,” Hottovy said.