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Waterloo baseball Warriors look for a break out year in the OUA â€" o matter what the standings say for the Baseball Warriors at the end of 2001, this season will be one to remember. That‘s because it will be the baseball teams first as an official varsity sport in the OUA. With this added onus upon the team, the Warriors will be striving for a winning season this year. Last season was a "strugâ€" gle," according to head coach Brian Bishop, who also coaches the Waterloo Junior Tigers in the summer. Although the Warriors presented a serious threat and stayed competitive in most games, they fell just short of the mark in the race to the postâ€"season. The team was unable to secure a win in their last three games of the season, which put them out of contention for a playoff berth in the 2000 season. Naturally, the Warriors are hoping to take it to the next level this year. " The key to having a good season this year is to become more consistent with our play and have our players play within themselves...have them try not to do too much. As well, we‘re quite young in some positions so we need to stay healthy," said Bishop. Veteran pitcher Pat Hill, also a Tiger alummus. agrees that a healthy jeam and specifically a healthy pitching staff are vital to the Warriors. "With so many doubleâ€" headers, we have to develop endurance.. .it‘s pretty hectic. They spread (playing time} around to keep everyone healthy. If we do that, we should be OK," said Hill, demonstrating the quiet conâ€" fidence that has made him a valued _ member of the Warriors for the last three vears. The Kitchener native has been playing ball as long as he can remember, from catch in the backyard with his dad to tee bail to playing for the city of Waterloo through high school. After graduation from Resurrection _ CSS. _ in Kitchener, Hill was unsure how â€"compatible baseball would be with his studies at UW. He ultimately decided not to try out for the team in his freshman year, opting instead to hit the books and wait to see if his workload could accommodate athletics. "Brian Bishop was my coach for the City of Waterioo that summer," he recalls. "He said that (the workload) was doable and had me talk to some different players." _ In the fall of 1999, Hill made his debut as a member of the Warriors. â€" _ "Pat had very raw tools three years ago, but through By Kerry O‘Brien Special to the Chronicle hard work has developed into one of the better pitchers in the league," says Bishop. "Pat is also the ultimate team play â€" er. He knows his role on this team and helps the younger players â€" understand â€" their roles as well. Any coach would be extremely happy if they could have 25 Pat Hills on their team." In true team spirit, Hill‘s personal goals involve the team. "I want to help the team make the playoffs," he PORI said. "We made it my first year, and last year we didâ€" n‘t...it‘s a realistic goal." Hill isn‘t alone as a veteran Warrior, either. Among the returnees are Luke Potwarka at second base (who is recovâ€" ered from an injuryâ€"plagued season in â€"2000), Mark Johnson at third base, and the outfield combination of Mike Robertson, Greg Stefan and Matt Bevilaqua guarding the fences. Rookies looking to make their impression on the team include Frank Hare at shortâ€" stop, pitcher Adam Beck and third baseman Chris Dietrich. Bishop is hoping that his team‘s OUA â€" status will improve their fan base and recognition â€" on . campus. "We‘ve lived in obscurity on campus for many years, but don‘t take anything away from this team," he said, "They work as hard as any team in practice and are ready for a breakout year." #1 465 Phillip St. Waterloo â€" 746â€"8747 | 1 www discovertravel on ca h ¢" |â€" Fox: 746â€"3816 . Eâ€"mail: jeanne@discovertravel on ca MAE NALL Omee:/lig: c e f R F P im‘ C\ l a#« ic ID® POWTT DAVN MRLMR Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain imagine yourselt on this fabulous island in a world class resort. Dec. to May departures. Give us a call! T EHAVEL