Dan Eckert has given Quakertown a much needed spark

By Bob Kourtakis
Of The Morning Call


Quakertown's success in the Tri-County League this summer may be a surprise to some, but with the addition of fleet-footed center fielder Dan Eckert to the lineup, it really shouldn't.

At least it's not to Quakertown Manager Chip Friday, who has watched his team move right into the thick of a tight, three-way battle for the South Division lead - a drastic improvement over last year's sub-.500 campaign.

"We knew if we could get (Eckert) away from the Blazers, he would help," Friday said after a recent win. "He's one of the main reasons why we are where we are."

That's the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League Quakertown Blazers - a team Eckert tried out for, but was unable to land a spot on the roster. So Eckert, going into his sophomore year at Ithaca College, stepped down to Tri-County play.

As it turns out, the Blazers' loss was Friday's gain.

"I'm too old for Legion, and I wanted to play somewhere for the summer," Eckert said. "My dad got the word out to Chip that I was available. After the Blazers, I didn't look anywhere else. I felt I wanted to have fun and play ball at the same time. It's worked out pretty good."

Besides giving Friday a rabbit in center field to track down fly balls, Eckert has provided a much needed spark in the leadoff position.

"He doesn't draw a whole lot of walks, but he gets a lot of base hits, steals bases and scores a lot of runs," Friday said. "He's a great guy to have on your team because he never complains, he just plays hard and is always hustling.

"He's probably the most solid hitter on the team."

Eckert has hustled his way to a .400 average this summer, and the addition of his bat along with first baseman Bob Drumbore's has been a breathe of fresh air.

"We are the only new guys on the team," Eckert said. "Me and Drumbore kind of added a couple of sticks to the lineup. That always helps. And I think it took the pressure off the rest of the guys too. They are a little more relaxed."

And for those who think a rookie might feel pressure batting in the top - think again. Eckert is comfortable wherever he's in the lineup.

"I take the same swing no matter where I'm batting - I've got the same approach to hitting," he said. "It really doesn't bother me. I like to run a lot. It would be nice to bat third, but leading off is just fine. Besides, I like batting with nobody on base so I can run."

Part of the reason he is so nonchalant about his success has been his attitude toward the summer. The important thing is not the number of hits, he feels, but to fine tune his game and experiment with new ideas.

"I tried to be more aggressive at the plate and open my swing up a little more," Eckert said. "But now I've reached the opposite side of the bracket - I'm too aggressive. Now I'm looking to be more patient."

His freshman year at Ithaca was spent mostly on the bench, though he did see some action. Next year he is looking for a starting job and he thinks this summer is the perfect tune-up.

"I am a more improved player now than last year," he said.

But right now he is looking forward to the Tri-County League's stretch run and playoff hunt. Quakertown stood at 19-6 going into last weekend's play - tied with Gilbertsville and just 1/2-game behind first-place Upper Perkiomen. Perhaps the season's turning point can be pinned on Quakertown's 13-7 pounding of then-first place Gilbertsville July 20. That win has put them on a roll.

"We're definitely really hot right now," Eckert said. "I think we've got a good shot. it's the best we've played all year.

"That was a big confidence builder. They were the king pins of the league and we beat them, so it proves we can play with anybody in the league."

That's something Quakertown couldn't say before Eckert arrived.



  

From The Morning Call -- July 30, 1987

Copyright © 1987, The Morning Call