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SPORTS Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: nnelson@haltonsearch.com WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 22. 2003 · Page D 1 By Steve Dominey s p e c ia l t o t h e h e a v e u Sec m e before \T)U p u rch ase o r lease \T>ur next \v h id e G len lev en CHRYSLER C h r y sler · JE F .P · OUDCE 2388 Windsor i'k, 905*45-7575 * Harvey to get spring training shot with Padres P itcher Ian Harvey was consider ing a life outside baseball just two years ago. but instead of dusting off his resume, he added a fastball and change-up to it, and is now mere steps away from realizing his major league dream. Harvey, a 26-year-old righthander from Oakville, has chased that dream all over North America, playing on multiple minor ball teams throughout his career. But after being converted from the bullpen to the starting rota tion last year. Harvey now finds him self climbing to the top of the San Diego Padres organization. It has been a long road, however. After graduating with his masters of business administration in internation al finance from Oklahoma City University. Harvey decided to forego a finance career and play with the London Werewolves of the Independent Frontier League. " I just wanted to keep playing," says Harvey. "Baseball grows on you after a while. You get addicted to it and you just can't imagine your life Ian Harvey with San Diego'ssingle-A without it." affiliate. Lake Elsinore Storm. This dedication drove him to play with (he Werewolves for parts of three Waller says it is Harvey's unique ability to throw four pitches for strikes seasons between 1999 and 2001. At the end of the 2000 season he was that allows him to succeed. picked up by the Boston Red Sox "Most pitchers can only really con organization, before being released in trol two pitches, so anytime you can throw four for strikes you're going spring training the following year. After returning to London in 2001, win ball games," says Waller. "Hiiters was picked up by the Padres never know what's coming and that's with three weeks left in his main strength as a player." the year. Harvey could always throw his The six-foot-one-inch, 190-pound breaking pitches -- a curveball and a pitcher was able to make enough of an devastating slider -- but added a impression in that short lime to earn a change-up last year to complement his spot in the California league for the new found fastball, which routinely start of 2002 season with the Padres clocks in between 87 and 90 mph. single-A affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Despite last year's success. Waller Storm. will not make any decisions on where Then, his career began to turn Harvey or any other players will start around. Harvey says the Storm's next year until the closing of training pitching coach told him he w'ould be camp. He does say. however, that if successful if he could learn to com Harvey eventually makes it to San mand his fastball the way he handled Diego, he expects it to be as a reliev his breaking pitches. As if taken from er. a script of a movie, the coach often " He's best suited for the bullpen, sent him to the mound with instruc but he is a real hard worker who tions to only throw fastballs. accomplished a lot last year and we're " That's why my numbers weren't definitely going to take that into so good." laughs Harvey. "The hitters account when deciding what level and all knew what was coming." what role he'll play for us next year," Although his record was I -2 with a he says. 3.48 ER A . the organization decided " I expect him to do well because his fastball showed enough promise lo he likes to learn and wants lo get bet warrant moving him up to their AA ter." club in Mobile, Alabama al the mid Harvey has been told he will see way point of last season. some action with the Padres big club It was with Mobile's BayBears in spring training. where Harvey experienced the most " It's my chance to leave a lasting drastic change in his career. After impression, so when they need some pitching in over 140 games profes one in San Diego next year they'll sionally from the bullpen, he was con think of me," he says. "It's hard verted lo a starter in mid-July. because you only have a handful of To say the switch went well would chances to show them what you can be an understatement. Harvey went 6do in spring training." I with a 1.89 ER A in 57 innings In order to maximize that limited pitched and carried a 3-1 strikeout-toexposure. Harvey and his wife Audra. walk ratio. decided to move to Peoria, Arizona at Tye Waller, director of player the end of last season. The move development for the Padres, says allows Harvey to train in the Padres Harvey's success as a starter was a spring training complex in the off-sea pleasant surprise. " We moved him in son. which is just down the street the rotation because of injuries." he from their new apartment. says, "but we really learned a few He gives his wife credit for not things about Ian and I think he learned only coming with him to Arizona, but a lot about himself." (See Harvey' page D3) Chantal Ayotte · Oakville Beaver OFFENCE! Oakville Beaver photographers caught some offensive dis plays in high school hockey last week. In the top photo, an Iroquois Ridge player (green jersey) goes for the back hand. Oakville Trafalgar won 10. In the bottom p h o to A lin e . Doherty of White Oaks cel ebrates a goal against Aquinas. These two teams tied 3-3. High school sports action will resume in February after the exam break. See standings, next page. Peter McCusker · Oakville Beaver * Josh Disher is named Jr. A rookie of the year " His consistent solid play helped get the team off to its best start ever and he has continued to prepare and stay focused for every start." Director of Hockey Operations Ralph Judge says. " Josh has started every game for the Cougars this year and has been a main reason for the success the Cougs have enjoyed so far this season." Disher is a quick butterfly-style goalie, who plays with good agility and reflexes. He plays his angles well and possesses a quick glove. A very technically sound goalie, he can make saves with his glove and blocker equally well. His lateral movement is excellent and he is rarely caught out of position as he has the ability to get up and down on his pads with ease. It's the second straight year, an Oakville native has copped rookie of the year honours. Last year Evan McGrath, then with the Oakville Blades, was named rookie of the year. He's now one of the top rookies in the O H L w ith the Kitchener Rangers. Oakville's Josh Disher has been named the provincial jun ior A west division rookie of the year. In his rookie year, Disher has taken on the lion's share of the goaltending duties for the Burlington Cougars of the provincial junior A west division. Disher played his minor hockey with his hometown Oakville Rangers organization, and in fact in 2001 received the James Darren Hill Memorial Award by the Minor Oaks Hockey Association (M O H A) as the top rep goalie in the organization and was the starting goalie for the South Grenville midget tournament all-star team in 2(X)2. Burlington Cougar head coach Wes Wiseman describes Disher as a workhorse who has stepped into the starter's role w ith the Cougars in his first year with the club. "Josh has an outstanding w'ork ethic in practice that allows for a heavy workload. "He certainly came along at the right time with our veteran goaltender out for the season with an injury. Bruins host arch rival Humber on Friday night The Sheridan Bruins who are seeking their third straight provincial men's college basketball cham pi onship have had a great start to the new year, with three straight wins. improving their record to 5-1. But this week is an interesting one, as they face off against their closest rivals. Last night (Tuesday), the second place Bruins hosted the third place Mohawk Mountaineers. And this Friday is sure to be a dandy as the Bruins host the first (See 'Bruins' page D2) Friday, Jan. 24/03 at 7:45 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31/03 ot 7:45 p.m. HAMILTON KILTY ITS OAKVIUC 8U)DS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre vs BURLINGTON COUGARS vs OAKVILLC BIRDCS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre