Q & A with Coach Carroll Land: Part II
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A chat with Pittsfield American Defenders coach Carroll Land last Tuesday on how the new team's soggy season has been going.
Question: How do you feel you have progressed as a team so far this season?
Answer: We're getting by and fairing well. We've played a few tough games and suffered some blows. Were now seven players short now (from team members having to leave during the season), two of which were front-line pitchers, especially when you run into so many rain delays and cancellations.
Q: So how has the rainouts taken a toll on your team? (The Defenders had a tough schedule over the past week in makeup games and innings.)
A: It builds up on our pitchers immensely. Over the coming weeks they won't get their normal days' rest. But we just have to go out with what we think is our best guys and just play baseball and try to win some games down the stretch.
Q: How has your pitching fared?
A: We still have a lot of good young arms. It all depends on their control – if they aren't going to be able to locate the ball, then we're going to run into some problems and wear them out. But yeah, the pitchers are taking a bashing but I think we can overcome the odds.
Q: What excited you the most about the caliber of your squad?
A: We've been doing well on the fundamentals and small ball, like the hit and run, and coming away with wins because of alertness and awareness. Our pitching has risen to the occasion more than a few times, and I feel we are being more consistent lately in our play.
Q: What qualities have you imposed on your team as a manager coming in with this new batch of players?
A: You have to take a realistic look at what players you really have. We had no say as to who we were getting, so we have to take an honest look and assess their talents into form-fitting roles. Just finding what's right in the situation and knowing you have made a thought-provoking decision that will benefit the team.
Q: How do you feel your players have molded to become a team?
A: We've established roles and everyone knows their part. Sure, a few guys will be heated if they don’t play, but the understanding is there in what we have to do and what we are trying to accomplish.
Q: Playoffs are around the corner. Your thoughts?
A: Obviously our aspirations are to make the playoffs. We've beat every team on both sides of the division with the exception of Newport. In a one-run loss, I'd say we have a good shot if we can stay consistent in our efforts to win.
Q: One major thing that you as a coach need to work on with your players?
A: One thing you’ll always need is time to practice. Something we've had not much of due to the unfortunate weather conditions. Other times when we could practice there would be two or three game scheduled on it already. We’ve had to compensate and rely on our skills come game time.
Q: Your overall feelings on Wahconah Park (in reference to the park's predilection for flooding)?
A: The last two weeks have been much better than the first six. There's obviously some things they need to be worked on and it's up to the city to fund it. If they can't solve the problem or can't hire some independent company to fix their things, the nostalgia and renowned respect for the park will be seen in a different light.
