September 1, 2010
Moore shines on the Cape
by Ed Flaherty/
Clint Moore has earned a shot at the pro level, according to Cape Cod League coach Steve Englert. (photo: SportsPix)
Scouting reports for Cape Cod Baseball League players track power at the plate, speed on the base paths and control on the mound.
When discussing Harwich Mariners infielder Clint Moore, who will be a senior at West Point in the fall, “grit” and “determination” come to mind.
“I guess that’s my go-to thing,” said Moore. “I feel the game is supposed to be played hard. I feel you owe it to the game to go out and give 100 percent. You’ve got to go out and give it your all every day. There’s no room for any excuses and no room for any regrets.”
Moore’s efforts are not lost on Harwich manager Steve Englert.
“He’s a grinder,” Englert said. “He’ll do anything you ask. He’s going to compete.”
Just getting to the Cape Cod League required determination and perseverance for Moore. While his teammates and opponents simply had to accept an invitation to play in the Cape Cod League, Moore sacrificed two summers in anticipation of the 2010 season.
As a West Point cadet, military commitments take precedence. Moore accelerated his training at the end of his freshman and sophomore years in order to have time off this summer for baseball.
“I didn’t have much leave – or any leave really – the first two summers so I could have this summer to play,” Moore said. “It takes a toll on you. The summer training is very demanding. Without a doubt it has been worth it.”
Englert said he uses Moore’s West Point background to motivate his team. “I say, ‘While you’re sleeping Clint has been up for half the day climbing up mountains with rocks in his backpack,’ ” Englert said.
Dedication and heart will only get you so far on the baseball field, however, especially in the ultra-competitive Cape Cod League, and Moore has shown that his talents go far beyond a tenacious attitude.
At West Point, Moore made an immediate impact for the Black Knights, earning Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. He was also named a Freshman All-American.
As a sophomore in 2009, Moore hit .395 with 18 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He was a Patriot League first-team selection and placed second in voting for conference Player of the Year, while being named to the American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division 1 All-America Third Team.
This past season, Moore hit .311 with seven home runs and 33 RBI, again landing on the Patriot League’s all-conference first team. Despite those accolades, Moore knew the talent level on the Cape would test his abilities.
“It’s definitely a great feeling knowing you can play with some of the best competition in the country,” Moore said. “It’s been awesome.”
When the Cape Cod League’s regular season came to a close at the beginning of August, Moore had posted a .270 batting average with two home runs and 17 RBI for Harwich.
“Coming in I figured the competition would just be unreal,” Moore said. “I felt like every game would be a grind and it has been. Everyone is a little bit faster.”
Moore said that in college it was easy to tell when a line drive would fall in for a hit, while on the Cape that same line drive is often grabbed “by some really fast outfielder.”
“I feel like I’ve been pretty much hanging in there,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with how I’ve done so far.”
Said Englert, “I knew he was a very good player. He’s having an exceptional summer. It doesn’t surprise me.”
A shortstop at West Point, Moore has bounced around the infield for Harwich, but earned a starting spot in the 2010 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game at Fenway Park as the Eastern Division’s designated hitter.
Moore went 1-for-2 with a single and a walk in that game, a 5-0 loss for his Eastern Division team.
“It was a really neat experience as well as a little bit unreal,” he said of playing at Fenway. “When you first walk out there you see the Green Monster and think that some of the greatest players have played there.”
Blessed with a strong arm, Moore also made five appearances on the mound for Harwich during the summer. In 12 innings, Moore struck out 10 and allowed just six hits, compiling a 2.25 ERA for the Mariners. Moore made one start as a pitcher for Harwich and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Bourne on Aug. 1.
“I didn’t really realize it because I had walked a couple of guys,” Moore said of his performance.
A standout athlete from Greensboro, N.C., the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Moore has excelled under the trying conditions at West Point.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” he said. “It’s a good challenge. You have to stay mentally strong. You have to grind through every day.”
For his senior year Moore will be a platoon leader, with 40-50 men and women in his command in the fall. “It’s a task, making sure they are doing the right things,” he said. “It’s very gratifying.”
Moore’s success at West Point has been recognized at the national level. He was one of six finalists for the 2010 AAU Sullivan Award, presented annually to the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. The Sullivan Award is older than the Heisman Trophy and has been presented since 1930.
Moore was the only college baseball player to be nominated for the award, which takes into account the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism.
The 2010 Sullivan Award winner was paralympic ultra-marathon runner Amy Palmiero-Winters, but Moore came away humbled by his place among the finalists.
“That was a tremendous honor,” he said. “[The finalists] were all just top-notch guys and gals. It was a huge honor to be part of that.”
Englert said Moore’s strength of character has been evident in his time with the Mariners.
“He’s been one of the best kids I have coached,” Englert said. “He’s just a great character kid that you love to coach.
“He’s kind of a quiet leader. He just goes about his business. He has the respect of all our guys. You hope you get a lot of kids like that on your team.”
Moore’s summer experience on the Cape has been a success, but with just one more year at West Point his baseball future is uncertain. He will owe at least two years of service upon graduation from West Point, but with enough leave time built up he would be able to play in 2011 if he were to sign a pro contract. His military commitments would likely cause him to miss the 2012 season.
“My main focus is on my Army career, but baseball has always been my dream,” said Moore.
Englert has no doubt that Moore can succeed as a professional.
“I truly hope that someone takes a shot with him at the pro level,” Englert said. “He’s earned it. He’s proven it. I don’t think it will be taking a chance because he’s proven it.”
