Player Profile: Pat Cantwell

Player Profile of the Day:

  Patrick Cantwell #3

Bio: Cantwell is a 6'1" 190lb JR Catcher/OF from West Islip, NY. Pat went to West Islip H.S. and at Stony Brook he is a Biology major. At West Islip Pat played 3 years on varsity and was a captain for all 3. In 2008 he helped lead his team to a 23-5 record and a Suffolk Class AA Championship. He hit .477 with 31 runs scored, 8 triples, 2 HR and 33 RBI. This led to his selection of All-League, All-County and All-Long Island. He not only excelled in baseball but was a 4 year varsity soccer player as well. He was a 3 time captain, named 2007 second team All-American, All-State, All-Region and All-Long Island as a senior.
**His freshman year in 2009 he appeared in 42 games, starting 31 of which 30 were at catcher. He led the America East with 15 runners caught stealing, hit .284 with 24 runs scored and 16 RBI. His first game played garnered his first career hit at Florida Atlantic, he had 2 hits on that day. This season earned him a spot on the America East All-Rookie team as he played a key role throughout the season.
**In the 2010 championship season Pat had an outstanding Sophomore year. He played in 54 games, making 51 starts, 14 as a catcher and 37 at RF. He ranked second on the team and 6th in the America East with a .361 avg, second on the team with 46 runs scored recording 25 multi hit games and 36 RBI. He also tied for 6th in the Conference with 15 doubles and 7th with a .439 OB%.  He played his best at the most crucial of games. Went 3-7 with four runs scored at San Diego State and against Maine he had a career-high 5 for 6 performance. In the conference tournament he hit .385 with 6 RBI with a huge go-ahead 2 run HR in the 7th inning against Albany in the title game. During the regional against NC State he had a hit and run scored in the 6-2 victory, the first regional win in school history. This year earned him honors of All-America East second team as an OF and was named the America East Conference tournament Most Outstanding Player for his contributions at the plate as well as on defense.

Pat at Pepperdine in Malibu

Catching a pen at UNC Wilmington

Winning a Championship for Cantwell last season was his main goal and looking to this season it is no different:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?

  "As a team I think that our attitude on and off the field helped to come together as a team instead of individuals pursuing their own goals.  We had one team goal and that is what we strove for."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?

  "Threw, hit, and lifted on a more consistent basis than ever before.  I have also started to read more books/articles relating to certain aspects of my game I feel I can improve upon."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?

  "I would have to say Troy Tulowitski.  He is a known presence on the field and I just feel like he is giving it 100 percent every time he steps on the field."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?

  "I always always have to stretch my hip flexors before I get into the batters box, otherwise I feel like I can’t move.  During the national anthem I always have to close my eyes."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?

  "Never settle for anything less than you deserve.  If you work hard at something, and truly want it, there isn’t a lot of things that can stand in your way.  Just go out and play.  A lot of people will tell you what you are doing right or wrong, but when it comes down to it, on the field just have fun."

What are your goals for this coming season?

 "Win a regional."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?

  "I think that our team has great leadership but I also feel like the hurt of the loss at the regional will help some guys to get after it even harder this year."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing? 

  "Listening to my Ipod or thinking about something fun.  Anything at all to get me ready to play."

 

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 

  "As bad as it is, play basketball haha."

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Some Bullpen Work

Got some video of my bullpen from last Friday. Views from the RH and LH batters boxes. Steve is catching and the sequence is FB in and out, Cutter in and out, CH and curve. I repeat a couple just because I didnt like the location. First from the windup then the Stretch.






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Player Profile: Maxx Tissenbaum

Player Profile of the Day:

                                                Maxx Tissenbaum #8

Bio: Maxx is a 5'11" 190lb INF from Toronto, Ontario. He attended York Mills Collegiate H.S. and here at Stony Brook he studies Business Management. He played 3 years of varsity while in H.S., played for Canadian Junior National team and played for an Ontario Youth team that won a gold medal at Canada Cup during which he was named Best Defensive Player. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft.
**Tissenbaum as a Freshman had a solid season posting numbers which aided in winning a championship. He played in 55 games making 52 starts at second base. He ranked third on the team with a .344 avg, he had 10 doubles, 4 HR and had 18 multi-hit games. In his first career collegiate game against UNC-Wilmington he recorded 3 hits. In the America East tournament he hit .375 and scored 5 runs en route to a championship. While at the Myrtle Beach Regional, Maxx hit .400 with a HR and 3 RBI. This season earned Maxx being named America East Rookie of the Week on April 20th, named to the America East All-Rookie team and was selected to the America East All-Tournament team.

Maxx hitting at LeMoyne

Fielding at CSUB

A Freshman year to be proud of for Tissenbaum leaves him hungry for another good year and a Championship:


Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
  "personally getting to play a lot early in the year helped to define my season. with coach showing that he had the confidence in me even when i did struggle it was a big mental boost. As a team we were defined by our defense. as an unranked team from the northeast we finished someting like 5 points off of top spot in the country."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "this winter i spent extra time running. for a middle infielder i'm not fast enough and so i've been trying to get my feet to work fast. i did a lot of extended sprints and then shorter more explosive stuff."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "I've always wanted to model myself after Derek Jeter, not only because he's always been so good at what he does but because of his work ethic. i remember at spring training one year he was on the practice field alone at 930 doing drills before anyone else showed up, and that goes a long way to making a great ballplayer."


Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
  " I'm pretty superstitious, in a game where 30% success is a hall of famer i think it helps to keep me sane. sometimes i'll tape a quote to the bottom of my helmet and tap it before every at bat, other times i say a song lyric over and over while taking my swings"

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
  "Every single day is an opportunity. even when you think nobody is paying attention and even when nothing is expected of you there is some other kid somewhere in the world who wants the same spot you do. you have to be willing to do anything you can to out work that guy, because every minute you waste is a minute you cant get back"

What are your goals for this coming season?
  "this year i want to win whatever regional we go to. last year we got our first program win in the regionals and that was a big step. with the core of guys we brought back i think we could really do some damage. we certainly have the pitching up front with Trop and Tyler and then our bats will be able to swing it with anyone"

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
   "before every game i listen to a podcast from a minor league instructor i met. he talks about the importance of having the right frame of mind, and his relaxed chilled out california way of talking goes a long way to doing that"

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
 "  I love to play golf, and when i'm home during the winter i still have a soft spot for hockey so i play a lot. i also spend as many days as i can watching my sister play because i know how many years she spent in rinks and ballparks watching me"




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Player Profile: Tanner Nivins

Player Profile of the Day:

 Tanner Nivins # 24

 

Bio: Nivins is a 5'10" 190lb SO OF from Kitchener, Ontario. One of four international players we currently have, he attended St.Mary's H.S. and here at Stony Brook he is currently studying Social Sciences. In H.S. he played four years of Varsity baseball and was named 2005 Ontario Junior Player of the Year. He was a multi sport athlete playing football, which he was a four time MVP, and he was also a three time MVP in track and field as well as in Hockey. Played baseball for the Canadian junior national team as well as for an Ontario team that won a gold medal in which he was named offensive player of the tournament.

** In his freshman year here at Stony Brook he played in 56 games of which he started 50 in Center Field. He hit .298 on the season with a tie for second on the team in HR, with 9, and RBI with 48. In his first career collegiate game he hit a line drive home run to dead center against Akron. He played his best in key times, having a great series against Alabama going 6-12 with 6 RBI. He also had 2 hits and 3 RBI against San Diego State. During the biggest time of the season in the Myrtle Beach Regional he hit .313 with 3 RBI which helped bring the first ever win in a regional to SBU. The stellar freshman year earned Tanner two time rookie of the week in the America East as well as being named to the America East All-Rookie Team.

Tanner Celebrating a Championship

Making a great catch

Having a Stellar Freshman Year Tanner looks to build off of it and enter 2011 more prepared than ever:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team? "Looking back on 2010 really strikes a lot of great memories. Being my first year playing college baseball, I came in not knowing what to expect. However, I got a great opportunity to play everyday, and I quickly learned the expectations of this ball club. There are players on this club that play the game the right way, and they were great people to model my game after. As most teams, we had our share of ups and downs. But in the end, we learned from the downs as well as the ups, and it translated into a championship."

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
  "For me, coming off an injury in the fall this off season was a crucial time period. I looked at it in a way that not only do I have to get myself ready to play, but I have to catch up to everyone who was playing all fall. I focused on getting as strong as possible, while maintaining my speed and flexibility. I have no days to waste, every single day I'm whipping myself into the best possible shape I can be. Aside from the weight room, I have also been throwing and hitting routinely. But that wasn't my main focus, as I know February we will be focusing on that every day."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
  "I get asked this question a lot, and every time I struggle with an answer. Of course I look up to the big name outfielders like Vernon Wells, and players alike, however I don't emulate my game after them. If anyone, it's all the guys in the minor league system grinding themselves to the ground just doing everything possible to make it to the bigs. Guys that aren't oozing athleticism or all five tools, but guys who pride themselves on giving absolutely everything they have on and off the field. Being a smaller guy who is clearly missing a couple tools, I know that I have to know how to take full use of the tools I do have."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
   "I've never been big into superstition. My worst enemy 90% of the time is myself. I get too into my head sometimes, and it causes me to think way too much. So focusing on superstitions is just another thing added to my already cluttered mind, so I tend to stay away from it. If I do have certain rituals, it's all in my muscle memory, and I'm totally unaware of it."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
   "Don't get complacent. The game of baseball doesn't stop itself, so you have no time to get lazy. If you're a guy who just loves the game and doesn't really care about results, then just have fun but don't let it get in the way of your teammates, and coaches dreams. Give it all, every day."

What are your goals for this coming season?
  "My goals for this upcoming season is to win another ring, and make it as far in a regional as possible. You can't focus too hard on personal success, because in the end all the personal accolades don't mean anything if we don't have a ring to celebrate with."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
  "Now having one year under me, I know what to expect. I've learned from last season, and I expect big time results. I've learned to control things like my frustration, and I now know how to learn from my failure and translate it into success. I also know by looking at the guys on our team that hard work truly does pay off. All I can do is take my numbers and add on! Not so it looks good in the books, but to help the team win our one common goal; a championship."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
  "I like to review scouting reports and talk baseball with the coaches and players. I'll study pitchers scouting reports so I am not surprised by anything that they throw at me. I like to relax myself, and always have a plan to success."

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
  "I think getting away from the game is very key. You can't think, eat, and sleep baseball all the time. I like to hangout with family, friends, and catch up on some T.V. shows. Take some time to appreciate everything else besides the game. Because in the end; that's all that matters."

End of video below shows Tanner this summer Hitting a go ahead homer for his team.




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Player Profile: Steve Marino

Player Profile of the Day:


                                                 Stephen Marino #23

     
Bio: Marino is a 6'1" 198lb SR Third Baseman from Lake Grove, NY. He attended Centereach H.S. and is on track to graduate with a degree in History this spring. While at Centereach H.S. he played all four years at the Varsity level. During that time he was a two time all-league selection and in his senior year he earned an all-county selection as well as a gold glove at shortstop. His team also named him team MVP senior year as he hit .371 with 16 RBI.
**In his freshman year at Stony Brook he earned his way into the starting role at third playing in 45 games starting 37 of them. He finished third on the team with a .319 avg, and had a team leading 12 doubles. In his final 30 games of the season he hit .327 with 18 RBI. In this championship season he played a large role in securing a birth to the Tempe Regional at Arizona State. What stands out the most was his play in the regional in front of a packed house in Arizona. He had 2 hits and 3 runs scored against #3 ranked Arizona State and hit a team best .571 in the regional. This season earned him the honor of being named to the America East All-Rookie Team.
**His Sophomore season was one plagued with injury. He started 22 games during this season and injured his hand in a game on March 21 against LeMoyne. However he forewent getting a red-shirt in order to try and help the team win. He returned to the lineup again on May 2nd and hit in 6 straight games after coming back. Went 2-4 with a RBI against Vermont in the Conference Tournament but to no avail we were eliminated in two games.
**Junior year was a great year for Marino as he played a large role in a Historic year for Stony Brook baseball. He was the only player to start all 57 games during this season, leading the America East in doubles with 19 and ranked second in hits with 78. He hit .341 with 39 RBI, 44 runs scored and had 26 multi-hit games. Known for his defense as well as his poise at the plate, in 166 chances he made only 3 errors. He helped lead the team to an America East Championship and the first win ever in a NCAA Regional for SBU against NC State. In his second championship season in 3 years, he earned post season accolades such as being named to the All-America East first team at third base as well as being named the recipient of the America East 2010 Male Sportsmanship Award.

Steve batting against Coastal Carolina

Fan Favorite Steve Marino Signing autographs.

Entering his final season here at Stony Brook, Steve answers a few questions on past, present and future:

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
 Personally, 2010 was the first year I stayed healthy for every game and I was fortunate enough to start all of them. It was great being in the line-up everyday and getting into a good rhythm both offensively and defensively. As a team, 2010 was about our relentlessness. We didn’t have a great win-loss record or have any crazy team stats. What made us good was that we bounced back from tough loses and won the most important games of the year which were in the conference tournament.

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
 This off-season I went hard in the weight room and got my body in good condition both physically and mentally. Of course throwing, taking ground balls and hitting are important to keep doing but come February, we’ll all be doing plenty of that. Your body doesn’t feel rested during the season like it does pre-season and I think it’s important to take advantage of that and get as strong as possible before I’m spending a lot of time on the field once we start playing.

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
 Being a 3rd baseman, my favorite player is Evan Longoria. I love the way he plays the game at the plate and at the hot corner. He is a good player to emulate because he is fundamentally sound and is a real ‘professional’ young player with a good attitude. He also is a winner and makes his team better which is something I hope I’ve done and continue to do this year. 

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
 I’m not really a superstitious guy and if I do have any I probably don’t realize it at this point. The only thing I have to do before every single game is sprint out to center field and give our outfielder Sal Intagliata a huge chest bump. We did it before every game last year and it worked out pretty well.

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
 The most important thing I would tell a young player is to never give up a single day. Whether it’s on the field, in the weight room or anywhere else, do something productive everyday because someone else out there is and you don’t want to fall behind the game. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time but if it gets in the way of baseball, time to give it up.

What are your goals for this coming season?
 My goals this season are to help the team win the America East conference tournament, get another ring, and advance as far as possible in a regional. Any personal accolades that come from winning would be great but the number one thing on my mind from day one is getting that ring!

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
I’m going to try and emulate 2010 as much as possible in 2011. It all starts with staying healthy and playing as many games as possible. Other than that, not giving up a single at bat and focusing in on every singe play I’m involved in on defense. I did that stuff pretty well last year but I know I can be better and I’m going to strive to play to my full potential during every game.

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
 I like to study scouting reports before we play every team. I like checking out the pitchers we’ll be facing, seeing what they throw, when they throw it and what I have to do to hit it. Also looking at their offensive players is important, who can run, who’s going to try and bunt on me, who might take my head off with a line drive, things like that. I’m also a big pre-game music guy. My personal favorites include Metallica, Disturbed, Killswitch Engage and Eminem.

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to?
 When I’m not playing I like just relaxing, watching sports, hanging with family, eating as much as possible, things like that.




Along with being a third baseman this off season Steve has been working on his catching in order to make himself that much more valuable for the team. Below are some videos that feature Marino working this winter:







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Player Profile: Tyler Johnson

A new post starting today leading right up to the start of the season is the Player Profile. Each day we will profile a new player from our team to give you some insight into the squad we have for 2011. Each post will have information, photos of each athlete and possibly some video. You will also get some direct quotes from an interview done with each player, so you hear their thoughts on this coming year among other things. Enough babble about it just check out the first one below and check back each day for a new player!

Player Profile of the Day:

Tyler Johnson #44

Bio: Johnson is a 6'0'' 180lb JR pitcher from Chatsworth, CA. He attended Crespi Carmelite H.S. and currently studies History here at Stony Brook University. In H.S. he had a prestigious career where he went 20-0 in 3 years, during which he went 10-0 senior year with a 1.06 ERA while striking out 67 batters in 66 innings.
**At SBU as a freshman he was named to the All-America East second team and the America East All-Rookie team. During that year he ranked second in the America East in strikeouts per game (8.11). He allowed two runs and five hits in 8.0 innings against Creighton to earn first collegiate victory during this season.
**He was also an integral part of the 2010 championship season, being the second game starter for most of the season. Considered the co-ace of the staff along with fellow So RHP Nick Tropeano. In 14 starts last year he went 10-3 with a 3.86 ERA, the 10 wins ranked him 26th in the nation as well as a single season school wins record. None of his wins came at a bigger time than while in the Myrtle Beach Regional against NC State. During this performance he struck out 10 and allowed two runs in 8.0 innings of work to earn SBU our first ever Division I NCAA Tournament win, with a 6-2 victory. This season earned him some post season accolades including, All-America East first team, (ABCA) All-Northeast Region second team, Myrtle Beach Regional All-tournament team, and was a two-time America East Pitcher of the Week. Not only is Tyler a student of the game but in the classroom he excels as well, helping him earn the honor of America East Scholar Athlete in baseball and was selected to the America East All-Academic team.

Johnson(left) after winning 2010 AEC Championship

With the 2011 season right around the corner I asked Johnson a few questions to see how he feels looking back and his views going forward:
 

Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
"I think the fact that we got to a regional and had sucess in a regional really defined what our team did last year. With losing so many key offensive players from the year before, it was important that we did well offensively with so many new guys who came up clutch for us all of last year. Personally I had a better year than the my freshman year and that is really important to me to keep getting better each year i pitch for Stony Brook. "

What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
"This offseason i really tried to get my cardio up more than normal. I Mixed in some more intense lifts along with throwing off the mound and running 2-3 miles after every throwing session or lift i had. It feels so far like its made a good difference and makes it easier to sustain my pitches on the mound as the game goes along."

Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
"Considering Im not a power pitch i try and emulate guys like Greg Maddux, Derek Lowe and Mike Leake. Guys that arent to big throw sinkers and two seam fastballs and have good command of 3 pitches. There competitiveness is always something to look up to going out and competing every pitch of every game.If i could pitch half as well as those guys do in the Major Leagues then I will have accomplished a great deal."

Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
 "My rituals are pretty standard walking out to the mound and skiping over the line and throwing a certain number and type of pitches for warm ups. I try and keep each day the same whether im throwing a bullpen or throwing in a playoff game, that makes it easier to stay calm pressure situations arise."

If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
"I would tell those guys that its not about how hard you throw or how electric your stuff is, but it depends on how you battle on the mound. Some days your not gonna have your best stuff but if you go out and battle every pitch then you always have a chance. Also I am recently a big fan of lifting and running. Stay in good shape at all times of they year so your body can stay healthy longer"

What are your goals for this coming season?
"There are certain levels of goals for this season. Obviously as a junior Id like to be drafted and play major league baseball along with other accolades that could come with a good season, but those things are out of my control. My goals this year are to go longer into games than last year and make every start a quality to great start and not have any lapses along the way."

What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
"Its all about the experience everytime i go out there and throw i learn something new about the team im playing the batters im facing and about myself as a pitcher. So 2010 was a good year for me but it could be better and learning from some of the bad things ive done will hopefully make me better this year."

What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
"I try to visualize what i would do in a game see it before it happens. I think that type of positive enforcement is good for any pitcher. Also i used to try to get intense before i started a game but it was to up and down for a while. Now i just try and relax and enjoy my game out there have fun with it while also focusing on the task at hand. Keeping the game fun makes you more sane in a game filled with failures."

When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to? 
"I like to do a whole bunch of stuff. Going to the beach even though i dont tan well. Playing different sports for fun like football or shooting around a little bit is always good. Like any person i play video games so doing that kinda stuff while hanging out with my friends and talking about other stuff is always a good way to get away from the game when need be"



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More than just physical-- Part 2 (Video Analysis)

  As a pitcher or any baseball player, video is a big help in finding out what is right and wrong mechanically and what you can do to improve. I find it very useful to analyze those who are very successful at what they do and try to apply as much as possible to my own practice. I know many players do this and it is a great way to figure out even the smallest details about your own personal mechanics in any aspect of the game. To demonstrate this in this post I found a video that breaks down why Mariano Rivera is so successful and even as a fan of the game this video is worth watching. He is the best ever at what he does and there are many reasons why. (video is not actual footage but a breakdown of his cutter and why its so good)
 

  I tend to watch a lot of slow motion breakdown videos of pitchers with a variety of styles and try to figure out what makes each individual so successful. There are plenty of videos on YouTube of pitchers such as Mariano Rivera, Brian Wilson, Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson...Just to name a few. Each of these vary in mechanics but all are upper echelon pitchers at the highest levels. (I know there are also plenty of hitting videos as well but for sake of shortening the post I focus on what I do currently.) Using video of myself and videos of the other pitchers I try to compare without over analyzing. Each individual does what is best for them and that is not what necessarily is best for you. However, in comparing at certain areas of delivery, such as balance point, landing point and areas in between, you can see most pitchers tend to have similarities at the key points which allow for their success. This is where the focus of the comparison takes place.
 I try to get as much of my throwing work on video as possible to compare how I felt while throwing to what I was actually doing mechanically. I do this because I like to remember what it looked like when I throw well and felt good and compare it to times when it did not feel as great or didn't locate as well. Comparing those videos along with the videos of the other pitchers is a big help in learning how you can improve yourself each time out.(Previous posts have videos of my bullpens and flatgrounds so I wont put them here again) I included one video of Brian Wilson below as an example of some slow mo video break down.


   Of course it always helps having another eye on your video and mechanics, so having a coach or a teammate  is a big help in the video work as well. As the title says its more than just physical work and doing everything on its own only goes so far. The combination of all aspects of the mental and physical prep is what I feel helps get you better as an overall athlete.

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