NO TIME TO WASTE : ANKLE INJURY EARLY IN THE SEASON DIDN'T RUIN FOCUS FOR HART'S BARON.Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer Brian Baron sat listlessly list·less adj. Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic: reacted to the latest crisis with listless resignation. in the doctor's office, the pain in his left ankle forgettable for·get·ta·ble adj. Fit or apt to be forgotten: a movie with very forgettable characters. Adj. 1. forgettable - easily forgotten unforgettable - impossible to forget compared to the ache in his heart. ``I was really disappointed,'' said Baron, a Hart High School Hart High School may refer to:
``I was really prepared for my senior season, and to have a doctor tell you you're going to be out for a while is really heartbreaking.'' Baron missed 17 games with a stress fracture stress fracture n. A fatigue fracture of bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load, such as the constant pounding on a surface by runners, gymnasts, and dancers. suffered February when he took a wrong step rounding first in practice during a baserunning drill. But after the initial depression, the Northwestern-bound senior bounced back. ``Some guys missing 17 games their senior season would be pretty down and show it,'' said Hart coach Bud Murray. ``But he was out there every day helping the other kids. In no way did he drag around.'' Baron said he felt a responsibility to his teammates to help in any way he could, even though he couldn't play. ``I tried to be there because I was a team captain,'' said the four-year varsity starter. ``I didn't mope around Verb 1. mope around - move around slowly and aimlessly mope move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" .'' It was when Baron returned to the lineup, however, that he really made his presence felt. Hitting over .600 in his final 10 games, Baron finished the season with a .571 batting average batting average n. Baseball A measure of a batter's performance obtained by dividing the total of base hits by the number of times at bat, not including walks. Noun 1. and impressed opposing coaches enough to earn election to the All-Foothill League first team. Baron's hitting has left a mark on Murray as well. ``He's probably the best left-handed hitter I've ever worked with,'' said the Indians veteran coach. ``He reminds me of Tony Gwynn
Baron is a worker, Murray said. It shows in his attitude, learned from his parents, Steve and Nel Baron. ``I'm always striving to do better,'' Baron said. ``My parents always told me, `You've got to have a strong work ethic work ethic n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. work ethic Noun a belief in the moral value of work if you want to be anything.' '' It shows in the classroom, where he has a 3.6 grade-point average. And it showed during his rehabilitation, as he pushed himself to be ready to play when doctors finally gave him permission. ``As soon as I could, I started hitting, I started throwing and I started running on the track,'' Baron said. ``I got myself back in shape. I was really determined.'' Northwestern baseball coach Paul Stevens saw plenty of things to like about Baron last summer at the Team One National Showcase in Cincinnati. Stevens pursued Baron through the fall and signed him in November. ``He said I've got a good chance to start in either right or left (field),'' Baron said. ``But I love the game. I'll play any position.'' If Baron could return for a fifth year at Hart, Murray said he might put him at catcher. He'd definitely be playing somewhere. ``We'll miss Brian Baron,'' Murray said. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Hart's Brian Baron, who missed 17 games with a stress fracture, finished hitting .571. Joe Binoya / Special to the Daily News |
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