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Highlands Today

Coach Hitt Looks For 300th Win With SFCC Baseball

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: January 23, 2008

AVON PARK – Nearly 300 wins and 10 years as the skipper of the South Florida Community College baseball team brings a smile to Rick Hitt's face.

But the number 54 means more to him than any of the other accolades.

"That's the number of players that have gone on to four-year schools," Hitt said. "It's a privilege to play the game of baseball and even more so to earn a college degree for playing the game.

"That speaks volumes about what kind of guys they were and for our school."

Hitt was an intricate part in resurrecting the Panther baseball team in 1997 after it was disbanded by the administration in 1992. His challenge was building the program from scratch.

From getting local sponsors to recruiting the first class that would take the field and represent SFCC, Hitt proved that he was the right man for the job.

"That first season was an uphill battle all the way," Hitt said. "I was honored the day I was offered the job. I think we've built a good foundation and have a track record of sending quality kids on to universities and to the pros."

The first season watched the Panthers finish five games below .500, but a decade later, Hitt's team has the talent to be one of the best to take the field for SFCC.

After finishing 22-31 overall and 7-17 in conference play last season, Hitt and his coaching staff have assembled a blend of youth with the right amount of experience that could pay dividends in the tough Southern Conference.

Third baseman and former Lake Placid Green Dragon Steve Levine returns as one of the top offensive threats and a steady hand to the infield after suffering a pair of injuries that cut into his first season with the Panthers.

"I wasn't gun-shy when I got back in the batter's box the first time," said Levine, who was hit in the face by a pitch early last season. "You can't be scared. I did have some fear, but I overcame that and got back on track."

Levine batted .341 with 35 RBIs and 14 doubles in 2007 and is looked upon by the underclassmen for guidance.

"I just tell the new guys to listen to Coach [Hitt] and play their best," Levine said. "The guys trust me and I try to school them on what is expected of them."

The pitching staff, which has been an Achilles' Heel for the Panthers in recent years, is one of its strengths heading into 2008.

Standouts Jeff Bloomer and Andrew Barbosa return to the rotation, and Hitt has recruited some key ingredients for a successful rotation.

Right-handed hurler Leo Chang, Jasper Brown, Avon Park's Johnny Sedlock and Sebring's Chaz Abeln have the talent to lift the Panthers to the top of the conference – provided the foursome can acclimate themselves to college ball.

"Chang has dominating-type stuff, but has a command issue that we're working on," Hitt said. "Jasper has three pitches he can throw for strikes but needs to work on his mechanics.

"Johnny is already a leader on this pitching staff by his maturity on and off the field and Chaz has the talent to be one of the top five in the rotation. I'm excited about our pitching staff this season."

Chemistry has always been an issue for Hitt and his coaching staff coming into a new season, but he feels confident heading into 2008's campaign.

"I think the maturity level on this team is very good this year, and I pull no punches with these kids," Hitt said. "I'll cut kids who are allergic to going to classes. They know what's expected of them in and out of the classroom."

An unexpected but welcome accolade for Hitt in 2007 was the promotion of two of his former players to the big leagues. Jesse Litsch, 2004 SFCC graduate, was called up on May 15, 2007 by the Toronto Blue Jays to fill in for the injured Roy Halladay. Listch pitched 8.2 innings and gave up just one run and four hits in a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Litsch finished his first year in the majors 7-9 with a 3.89 ERA and 50 K/36 BB over 20 starts.

Detroit Tigers utility player Ryan Rayburn was also called up in July and finished the season with a .305 AVG, four HR and 24 RBIs and has shown he can play multiple positions in the field.

The congratulatory phone calls from coaches, parents, college administrators and former players filtered in after Litsch and SFCC was mentioned on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.

"I was very excited for those players but I wanted everyone to know that they did all the work," the SFCC skipper said. "From the time we start playing the greatest of games, you want to play at the highest level.

"It's a very special moment for them."

With his 10th season starting on Friday against St. Petersburg College at Panther Field, Hitt realizes that he is just 13 games shy of 300 but again gives a humble tone when talking about the number 300.

"I didn't win one single game," Hitt said. "My players won each of those games. I hope to have 20 more years on this baseball diamond.
"This is my home."

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