Barrett Sprowl

Barry Faulkner

Like an exotic predatory insect that disguises itself to attract its

prey, Barrett Sprowl, his gangly 6-foot-4 frame unfolded in the

batter’s box, subconsciously prompts pitchers to consistently throw

the ball into what hitters like to call their “happy zone.”

And, just three games into the 2004 season, the Corona del Mar

High senior has enjoyed a veritable happy meal at the plate.

After going 4 for 4 in the Sea Kings’ season-opening win Friday,

Sprowl, an All-Newport-Mesa performer as a junior, went 2 for 3 in

games Saturday and Monday. His 8-for-10 start includes five doubles,

as well as a burgeoning respect for his craftsmanship with the bat

and recognition as the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week.

“I just focus on driving the ball wherever it’s pitched,” said

Sprowl, who played almost exclusively at first base last spring, but

has added third base and pitching to his duties this season.

“Because I’m tall, I think most pitchers assume that I’m going to

be weaker on the outside pitch. In truth, I’m pretty good at hitting

that pitch.”

In his varsity debut last season, Sprowl hit .368 with 32 hits, 15

RBIs and nine doubles. He was, however, intent on improving his power

for his senior campaign after failing to hit a home run in 2003.

To that end, he lifted weights during the offseason and continued

to work with private hitting instructor Bobby DeJardin.

Sprowl’s work ethic and willingness to put the team ahead of

individual goals has impressed CdM Coach John Emme as much as his

playing ability.

“In my seven years here, he’d make the top five of my most

coachable players,” Emme said. “If you made a mold of what a coach

wants in a kid, he’d be a guy you would do that with. He approaches

things like an adult and he’s the consummate team player.”

A serious student of the game, Sprowl’s ability to focus on the

field has helped him succeed, he believes.

“I think it has always been the case,” he said of his ability to

block out all distractions while hitting. “Especially when I’m

hitting well, I find its easy to not think about anything.”

Sprowl said the ease with which he plays enables him to avoid

getting nervous, even when he made his first varsity pitching start

Monday.

I used to get nervous in Little League, but I don’t anymore,” he

said. “It has been very easy for me to just relax and go play and not

focus on how I’ve done in the past.”

This aversion to paralysis by analysis has left him somewhat

reluctant to discuss his recent hot streak.

But Emme was eager to detail the skills that have made Sprowl

among the Sea Kings’ most dangerous hitters.

“He probably has the best hands of any of our hitters, when it

comes to keeping his hands inside the baseball [while swinging],”

Emme said. “That allows him to use the whole ballpark and he finds a

lot of gaps.”

Emme also believes Sprowl’s spot in the order, No. 2 behind

UNLV-bound slugger Josh Bradbury and ahead of junior three-year

varsity standout Wess Presson, figures to help him see quality

pitches.

“So far, our big punch has been our 1-2-3 guys,” Emme said.

Barrett is in a position to get pitches with guys on base. If he

keeps hitting line drives, this could be an incredible year for him.”

Sprowl would like to continue playing in college, but places more

importance on academics.

“My top three schools I’ve applied to are Claremont-McKenna, USC

and Harvard,” said the future business major. “If I can play

somewhere next year, that would be good. But I want to go to the best

academic school I can.”