From “Otto in Focus”, by Bob Otto

Written by Bob Otto on April 22nd, 2010

The 2010 Cal-State Builders.

“…I decided I would like to start my own team.” – Dave Carlton

BAY AREA, CA – The 2010 fastpitch season marks a couple of firsts for Dave Carlton. It’s the first time he’s grabbed the reins as a full time manager. And it’s the first time his team – the Cal-State Builders – will play a full season.

“We have dabbled in the NAFA Masters, NAFA AA, and a couple other tournaments prior to this season,” said Carlton, 39, of Hayward, California. “But this is the first full season for the team,”

Carlton began playing fastpitch in 1990 in Seattle. And from the get-go the first baseman has loved the challenge of hard-fought games.

“It is fantastic to play games that are close and count,” he said.

POST-SEASON SUCCESS

And the Builders have done quite well in close games. In 2008 Cal-State finished second in the NAFA Masters age 40-over. And in 2009 they topped the field, winning the 40-over championship, as well as taking third in the NAFA AA.

With last season’s success whetting his appetite, Carlton made a decision: Cal-State would play a full schedule in 2010. Including Carlton managing the team.

“I still like to play,” he said. “But after last season I decided I would like to start my own team, make the calls, and put the money up (limited sponsorship).”

So during the off-season, Carlton went on a recruiting mission. He’s assembled a ball club that he plans on entering in the NAFA AA World Series and ASA Class B National Tournament.

CHALLENGING TOURNEY SCHEDULE

Building up to post-season play includes several weekend tournaments – including a trip to Seattle for the 50th anniversary of the Seattle Invitational, and a return trip to Grants Pass, Oregon and the Boatnik Tournament, which the Builders won last year.

But possibly Cal-State’s biggest challenge will come when the Builders travel to Southern California for the “2010 California Classic” in Santee, June 19-20. The tournament features12 top-flight teams from California, Oregon, New Mexico, Nebraska, Mexico, and Canada.

And at stake are two ISC World Tournament berths.

“This is will be a high-class tournament with top-notch ISC major teams,” he said. “It will be a challenge for us. Do I expect us to be standing in the winner’s circle? No, but we will see great pitching (against such pitchers as) Sebastian Gervasutti (Parana, Argentina) of the (Bakersfield) Silverhawks. And I expect the California A’s will be extremely strong. We hope to play hard and have close games, and see where we stack up.”

STRONG LINE UP

A look at the Cal-State roster finds it filled with talent. Darren Strang of Richmond, BC, Canada, and John Peterson from Lake Crystal, Minnesota will anchor the pitching staff along with veteran Dave Jordan.

Carlson likes what he’s seen so far – variety.

“Darren throws a good rise ball and has good movement on his pitches,” Carlton said, of the 34-year-old right-hander, who is considered a top ISC II / ISC pitcher. “He’s strong, intelligent, and brings us experience.”

Jon Peterson, pitcher from Lake Crystal, MN.

And Peterson? The Minnesota native has a sharp-breaking drop ball that gives hitters fits and compliments Strang’s riser. And in Jordan the ball club has a veteran pitcher who hits his spots. And his change up contrasts nicely with the power pitching of Strang and Peterson.

Carlton also plucked another Canadian from the country’s vast pool of talent: Doug Cain. Carlton says that Cain is a proven ISC and Canadian national championship caliber player. The left-side hitter hits the ball where it’s pitched and goes to the opposite field with line drive power, Carlton said.

“He’s the Barry Bonds of our lineup,” Carlton said. “Doug is a veteran ISC player and won the Canadian championship with the (Vancouver) Grey Sox. He’s a veteran with major-level experience and a reliable glove at third base. He gives us clutch hitting in the clean up position.”
TWO GOOD CATCHERS
Behind the plate, Ricky Moore II and Jon Abbott will share the catching duties. When Strang toes the rubber, Moore will call the pitches. And when Peterson gets the call, Abbott – also a Lake Crystal native – will catch.

“They are both excellent catchers,” Carlton said, adding that at a recent tournament in Lodi, California, Abbott impressed him with his bat, power and speed. And Moore is, “a true utility man who can catch and play every position on the field, and he’s learning to pitch,” added Carlton.

A look at the infield finds Carlton and Rusty Newman sharing time at first base. Chris Paiva and Kevin Nishinaga’s speed and defense will anchor the middle infield, and Ty Fogarty, Ricky Sivilla, Dave Jordan, Dave Demaio, and Steve Garcia will patrol the outfield.

What can fans expect from the Cal-State Builders at the California Classic?

“The Builders combine speed, defense, and pitching for a balanced strategy,” Carlton said. “We have the potential for power at the plate, but we don’t rely on it. Our goal is to play competitive games.”

The current Cal-State roster:

Darren Strang (Richmond, BC)
John Peterson (Lake Crystal, MN)
Doug Cain (Burnaby, BC)
Jon Abbott (San Francisco and Lake Crystal, MN)
Chirs Paiva (Pico Rivera, CA)
Kevin Nishinaga (Alameda, CA)
Ty Fogarty (Gresham, OR)
Ricky Sivilla (El Cerrito, CA)
Dave Jordan (Rancho Murrieta, CA)
Dave Demaio (Simi Valley, CA)
Steve Garcia (Fresno, CA)
Rusty Newnan (Penn Valley, CA)
Dave Carlton (Hayward, CA)
Ricky Moore II (Concord, CA)