When good players miss the cut

Selecting an all-area team, no matter the high school sport, is an arduous task.

Statistics are a major part of the selection process, but how a candidate performs against elite competition is a key factor as well.

Generally, a few worthy players are left on the cutting room floor, having just missed the final cut.

When it comes to the SouthtownStar's All-Area Baseball Team, by and large, the selection process is up to me.

I contact each coach, requesting their top candidates. The more successful teams generally receive multiple spots on our 30-member squad.

But it's yours truly, not the coaches, who has final say.

We cover more than 40 high schools in a region regarded as a hotbed for baseball. I could devise a 30-member team exclusively from the SouthWest Suburban Conference and Catholic League and produce a magnificent squad.

I have never felt compelled to detail the selection process. Until now.

Kevin Koziol was named on May 28 as the Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year. Eight days ago, he earned All-State recognition in our sister publication, the Sun-Times.

The Brother Rice pitcher/shortstop isn't on our All-Area Team.

He is a marvelous talent, blessed with a strong arm and powerful bat. He's one of the most sought-after junior prospects in the state, with Creighton, Notre Dame and Illinois, among others, vying for his services at the collegiate level. He will be only the third player in Rice history to play all four years on the varsity.

Being selected for an all-area team, however, is based on production, not reputation or potential.

I covered the Crusaders on five occasions this spring, including twice against St. Rita.

Koziol had a good year, but a few of his teammates had better years.

Namely, pitcher Patrick Gannon and outfielder Bobby Schuch.

Gannon was 9-1 with a 2.63 ERA; Koziol was 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA.

Schuch hit for a higher average (.454 to .356) and had more doubles (11-8), triples (2-0), RBI (29-27) and stolen bases (16-3) than Koziol.

Of course, Koziol's willingness and ability to play two positions were taken into consideration.

But the fact of the matter is, Gannon and Schuch produced at a higher level and deserved the honor of making our team.

The numbers simply didn't add up for Koziol. For Gannon, headed to Purdue University, and Schuch, a Bradley University recruit, the math worked.

Gannon earned the prestigious Lawless Award from Catholic League coaches.

"When you win 27 games in a row, like we did to start the season, you need a winner leading your pitching staff, and that was Pat," Rice coach Tim Lyons said. "He's a winner and conducted himself on and off the field like a baseball player should."

Schuch's played every outfield position as well as second base and shortstop for the Crusaders.

"Bobby is the most underrated player in the state," Lyons said of the 6-foot-3, 205-pound three-year starter. "Whether we asked him to play shortstop or second base, or left, center or right field, he did it. No questions asked. He was an absolute pleasure to coach for three years. When all is said and done, he's going to make Bradley a very proud baseball program."

It should be noted that Lyons thinks the world of Koziol, too.

I also consider Koziol a fine young man. There are no politics at play, just an unbiased, trained eye who watched dozens of games this spring.

When all things were considered - the production of all the infielders and pitchers on our team - Koziol simply missed the cut.

Pat Disabato can be reached at pdisabato@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8837.