Dewey does damage
Moorpark first baseman Dewey Grattan developing into a feared slugger
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BIG BAT- Dewey Grattan posted a team-high .471 batting average through the Musketeers' first 10 games of the season.

There was nobody more disappointed in Dewey Grattan's first year on the Moorpark High varsity baseball team than Grattan himself.

As a junior, Grattan batted .226 with only two RBI and no home runs in 25 games as the Musketeers finished second to last in the Marmonte League standings.

"I wasn't prepared," Grattan said. "I was put in the fourth spot right away, and I just put too much pressure on myself. I'd have a bad at bat, and my confidence would go down tremendously. It was weird, because the previous winter I had hit really well, so I couldn't explain it."

Determined to improve his numbers during his final year at MHS, the first baseman visited the batting cage daily over the offseason with former Musketeers Aaron Garcia and Blake Sharpe. Now the senior's hard work is paying off.

Through 10 games, Grattan led the Musketeers in average (.471), home runs (two) and RBI (15). Grattan's 15 RBI is also tops in the Marmonte League, according to MaxPreps.com.

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers PUTTING IN THE TIME- On most days, Moorpark High senior Dewey Grattan can be found in the batting cage fine-tuning his swing. Thus far in 2008, Grattan's hard work has paid off on game days.

"I knew I could hit, and I had my swing down, but some of my mechanics were still a little off," Grattan said.

"I knew I had to bust my ass in the cage and make sure I was never cheated again at the plate. Kelly Paris, my hitting coach, told me to stop pulling the ball and instead try to hit the ball to the opposite field more."

Moorpark head coach Scott Fullerton said once his first baseman began to hit to all fields, he became more difficult to get out.

"Most pitchers will tell you that pull hitters are a dream to pitch to," Fullerton said. "The fact that Grattan's not trying to pull the ball anymore is certainly a reason for his success.

"But the biggest reason for Grattan hitting well this year is his work in the cage. Every day, if you come by the cage, you'll see that he's wearing it out. He definitely puts in the time it takes to be a good ballplayer."

Grattan said it all started to click for him during a winter-ball game against Alemany High.

"My friend and teammate, Wes Wright, told me I was a good enough athlete that I just needed to make contact and the rest would fall in place," Grattan said.

"He told me not to swing as hard, and it worked. I went 4for4 that game with one home run."

On the field, Grattan plays first base for Moorpark because of an injury he suffered five years ago. Grattan had surgery on his right arm, his throwing arm, and it made it difficult for him to throw the ball a long distance.

"The doctors told me that I wouldn't have much arm strength at all after the surgery," Grattan said. "So because of that, I gave first base a try. I have really good hand-eye coordination, so that's helped with me picking balls out of the dirt."

Grattan's stellar play at the plate and in the field has helped MHS improve as a team. Entering the week, the Musketeers already had seven wins- one more than they had all of last season. MHS was 7-3 overall and 1-2 in league.

"We had tough games against Simi Valley and Newbury Park, so we treated our game against Calabasas like a playoff game," Grattan said.

"Losing wasn't an option. From now on, especially in this league, every game from here on out becomes our biggest game of the year."

Grattan said there would be nothing sweeter than to make the playoffs in his final year at MHS.

"Coach Fullerton likes to compare our team to a car," Grattan said. "We have a pretty decent car, and if all the parts are working we can go pretty far this season."

Grattan said he's not sure where he'll play in college, but he's looking at Oxnard or Ventura College. Before that time comes, however, Fullerton is glad to have Grattan on his squad.

"We talk all the time," Fullerton said. "Besides being one of our many team captains, he also (is a teacher's assistant in) my second period class. He's a wonderful kid, and every year I wish to have 18 other kids like him. Thankfully, this year I basically do."

The Musketeers will look to inch closer to the top spot in the Marmonte League standings when they travel to Royal High Wednesday afternoon. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.