For some Tomcats, Riverhead's a long way from home
Some travel from as far away as Texas, Wisconsin, Louisiana to pursue their baseball dreams
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They traveled from Texas, Wisconsin and Louisiana, eager to join a new team and compete in a new league.
Cass Hargis, Doug Dekoning and Jerrod Eigsti didn't know each other four weeks ago, but they are all playing for the Riverhead Tomcats, one of six teams in Hamptons Collegiate Baseball. Nate Caldwell also journeyed far from home, but he knows Dekoning. They were teammates this spring, playing for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Eigsti made the longest trip, more than 1,600 miles from the campus of Dallas Baptist University.
Hargis, a starting outfielder for Southeastern Louisiana University, spent three days driving more than 1,350 miles from his home south of New Orleans. He had never been north of Georgia before he arrived on eastern Long Island on May 31.
"Really, this is the first time I have been away from home this long," the 21-year-old Hargis said. "I was excited to get here, to see what it was like."
All the Tomcats are living with host families, and HCB organizers helped arrange part-time jobs for dozens of players. Hargis is grateful to spend the summer at the home of Tomcats catcher Jeff Heppner, and he is working at the McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home.
Dekoning, of Menomonee Falls, Wis., came about 1,000 miles. He flew to LaGuardia Airport and got a lift from Heppner (a Riverhead High School graduate who lives in Aquebogue).
The HBC organizers and volunteers, directed by the league president, Rusty Leaver, contacted hundreds of college coaches last fall and winter, spreading news of the inaugural HCB season and seeking to recruit players. Each the collegians signed a contract and completed a questionnaire. Many HCB players were encouraged by their college coaches to join a wooden-bat league to improve their skills.
"I talked it over with my dad. It was an easy decision," said Dekoning, who visited New York State for the first time. "Just to get a chance to live on Long Island, a lot of great things to do and a chance to explore New York [City]."
Dekoning wants to visit Times Square, Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty. In addition, he'd like to go skydiving. Dekoning does not have a part-time job. A rising junior at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he is studying American art history on-line.
All four newcomers frequently communicate with their folks. "I talk to my mom every day for 10 to 15 minutes," said Hargis. Dekoning often sends a text message to his parents.
Joining the Tomcats, who play their home games on the same field the Riverhead High School uses, is a step up competitively for Dekoning. He stayed close to home and played in 30 games in the Land o' Lakes League, where he earned the Western Division rookie of the year award.
Eigsti, a shortstop, is one of HCB's least experienced collegians. He played in six games as a freshman reserve for Dallas Baptist.
"It stinks not to play and be on the bench," Eigsti said. "I can focus on baseball a lot more out here."
Eigsti, has six siblings, including two older brothers who are currently playing pro ball. When his parents drove him east from their home in Illinois, they traveled the East Coast to watch his older brothers play.
The newcomers all said they made a smooth transition, but Hargis noticed three obvious differences from Louisiana. He misses foods like jambalaya and gumbo. The eastern Long Island weather, he says, is much cooler than his home state: most days are hot and sultry around New Orleans, and he says there are fewer cars. "There's too much traffic [here]," Hargis said. "Back home people are more laid-back."
Caldwell, who lives with a host family in Quogue, drove about 900 miles from his home near Chicago. He's 1-0 pitching for the Tomcats after going 0-5 during his college season at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "It was a rough time," Caldwell said. "I just want to become a better player. I want to get back on track."
The Tomcats had to bond quickly. Manager Ron Davies had only two practices before the opener on June 4. During the first team meeting, the players shared quick introductions.
Davies "said to stand up and tell a little bit about each other," Caldwell said. "He said everyone is here for the same purpose: to improve themselves."
The veteran manager did not discuss many rules. "He said to do what is expected, show up on time and pay attention during the game," Caldwell said. "Just don't do anything stupid."
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