By Jim Hague
Rutgers-Newark head baseball coach Mark Rizzi knows just how difficult it is to recruit a shortstop, especially one that would be part of the school’s program for the full four years.
“It’s hard to find shortstops,” Rizzi said. “There aren’t a lot out there that can play on our level.”
So when Patrick Reitemeyer told Rizzi a year ago that he was planning to attend Rutgers-Newark, the coach was ecstatic just to have someone who could play the position.
However, Rizzi never realized that Reitemeyer would provide such instant success in 2008 as a freshman.
Reitemeyer, a Kearny native who played high school baseball at St. Mary’s of Rutherford, was one of the top freshmen in New Jersey college baseball this season.
Reitemeyer batted an amazing .361 with 24 RBI, finishing second among the Scarlet Raiders in hits with 56, only trailing fellow freshman Matt Connors. Reitemeyer, Connors and Matt Citro were all named to the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II-III All-Rookie team.
“I never could have anticipated what he gave us,” Rizzi said. “It wasn’t just offense. It was both ways, both offense and defense. You would think that a freshman would take a year of adjustment, but that didn’t happen with Pat.”
Reitemeyer made only 10 errors in 189 chances for the Scarlet Raiders, good for a .950 fielding percentage.
“He was a little upset that he made 10 errors, but I don’t think you’ll find many better than that,” Rizzi said. “He really had a very good season.”
Reitemeyer was also impressed with his performance.
“I never thought I would be doing as well as I am,” said Reitemeyer, who started every single game this season despite being a freshman. “I was just hoping to get my feet wet and get into a few games. I never dreamed I could start and do this well.”
Reitemeyer said that he got an idea he could play on the collegiate level during fall baseball.
“I did well enough in the fall where I thought I’d get a chance to play a little,” Reitemeyer said. “But when spring practice began, the job was mine.”
Now that he has the job, Reitemeyer isn’t about to allow anyone else to come in and take the position. He wants to be cemented there for the next three years.
“It’s been very rare and actually amazing to perform like this, both in the field and with the bat,” Reitemeyer said, “You actually never see a kid do both at the same time, but I’m really doing well in both. It’s been unreal and definitely been satisfying.”
“Mentally and physically, freshmen are usually not really ready to play college baseball,” Rizzi said. “There’s usually a transition phase. Not with Patrick. He’s been a major surprise offensively. I thought we would just hit him eighth or ninth and let him play because of his defense. But he’s done fantastic at the plate.”
Reitemeyer likes the idea that he has teammate Ryan Williams who hails from the same hometown, a place where soccer is king and baseball has to take a back seat. Reitemeyer and Williams, a pitcher, played Little League and Pony League baseball together in Kearny and have been reunited with the Scarlet Raiders.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Reitemeyer said. “You never think that two kids from `Soccertown, USA’ would be able to play college baseball. But we both love the sport and I really got lucky having someone like Ryan come to college with me.”
Rizzi just loves Reitemeyer’s old-school approach to the game.
“He’s very focused and very relaxed,” Rizzi said. “He wasn’t nervous at all, even as a freshman. He just comes to play every day and has the same focus every single day. I wish that every player was like that. He works hard in practice and he’s prepared to play every day. I like that.”
Rizzi is blessed to have a starting shortstop in Reitemeyer and a second baseman in Connors in place for the next three years.
“It’s great to have two of the most important positions locked up for the next three years,” Rizzi said. “I sleep well at night because of it. It’s very comforting knowing that Pat and Matt are going to be there.”
Rizzi also likes Reitemeyer’s personality and thinks it’s a plus for the program.
“He definitely is captain material,” Rizzi said. “He has that makeup, the way he goes about his business in a professional way. There’s really a lot to like about Pat and I’m very happy he’s with us.”
Now—and for the next three years.
