Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week - Cody Forsythe: Control freak

Barry Faulkner

Ask any pitcher about release point and they’ll tell you about the

spot the ball comes out of their hand on its way to the plate.

Newport Harbor High junior pitcher Cody Forsythe’s most crucial

release point, however, might be somewhere between his ears.

“I try not to think when I’m pitching,” said the gangly left-hander,

who began his 2001 mound duties on an impressive note last week. “I just

try to concentrate on the pitch and clear my mind.”

The Sailors wouldn’t mind if Forsythe sustains his oppressive

treatment of hitters all season.

In nine innings last week, including a complete-game win over Bolsa

Grande in the Foothill-Costa Mesa Tournament semifinals March 8, he

allowed six hits, one earned run, walked one and struck out 10. The

victory against Bolsa was the first of his varsity career, having gone

0-2 with a 9.95 ERA in 12 2/3 innings last spring.

After allowing singles to the first three Bolsa hitters, he retired 20

of the next 24. His 78-pitch effort included 53 strikes and 15

first-pitch strikes. Utilizing his team’s solid defense behind him, he

needed just 22 pitches the last three innings to propel the Tars into the

title game.

In the tournament quarterfinals March 6 against Century, the Daily

Pilot Athlete of the Week fanned five of the first six hitters he faced

en route to shutting the door on starter Chris Ward’s pitching victory.

All five strikeouts began with a first-pitch strike.

Though he had 13 strikeouts last season and now has 25 in less than 22

varsity innings, Forsythe, considers himself anything but a power

pitcher.

“Striking people out is not really something I’ve done before,” he

said. “Now, all of a sudden, I’m, striking people out.”

Forsythe said his primary focus is throwing strikes.

“Coach (Jim) Kiefer really stresses that and it’s one of the things

I’ve been working on,” Forsythe said. “Especially that first-pitch

strike.”

Said Kiefer, “The thing for Cody is to get ahead in the count.”

Forsythe theorized his big strikeout performance against Century had

to do with the huge contrast in styles between himself and Ward.

“Ward is a sidearm right-hander and I’m about three-quarters from the

left side,” he said. “That’ a good combination for us and a big

adjustment for hitters to make.”

But it was Forsythe who adjusted against Bolsa, overcoming a shaky

start to cruise to the 6-2 triumph.

“(Kiefer) always talks about the ‘inevitable two (opponent’s runs),’ ”

Forsythe said. “My job it to try to throw ground balls and fly balls and

let my defense do its job. Our defense was really on its game.”

Forsythe’s game focuses on location and mixing his pitches to keep

hitters off balance. He also gives credit to senior catcher Garrett

Brant.

“(Brant) really knows what he’s doing back there,” Forsythe said.

“It’s great to have someone who understands understands how you’re trying

to go after the hitters. He knows my approach and I rarely have to shake

him off.”

Forsythe, who also plays outfield and first base, went 2 for 6 with a

single, double, two walks, two runs and an RBI in the aforementioned

tournament wins.

Though Newport fell to Costa Mesa, 2-1, in Saturday’s title game, The

Sailors’ 3-1 start should help build their confidence.

“One of the goals this year is to turn the outlook of the program

around,” Forsythe said. “We’re working harder this year. We’ve been out

on the field as much as possible, as much as they’ll let us.”