The Lawrence Post 414 baseball team finished its American Legion season in last place with a 5-20 record, so it would be understandable if the players didn’t really care that their season finale with West Windsor-Plainsboro was rained out.
That’s not exactly true, however. Especially in the case of 19-year-old Connor Springsteen, who was scheduled to pitch that game.
“We got rained out and due to the circumstances we just scrapped the game all together,” manager Jason Zegarski said. “When I texted Connor, I could tell he was just heartbroken. He wanted one last hurrah.”
Springsteen confirmed his manager’s suspicions, as the cancellation did leave him with a sour taste.
“It was my last game and it’s been a great ride the past four years with them,” he said. “To have my last game ever for any Lawrence team called off — especially with Jason and the assistants — it was just pretty difficult to let go of it and not be able to play that last one.
“The team meant a lot to me. Every summer I knew I’d come in and play and have a great time. Obviously you care about the record and stuff. But summer ball is about having a good time and staying in the flow of things between seasons.”
And from that vantage point, Springsteen had no complaints despite playing with losing teams throughout most of his legion career. Which is why, after playing his freshman year at Wesley College in Delaware, he opted for a fourth season with Post 414 rather than play in a collegiate league.
“It was my last summer, really, to come home and have a good time with my friends and see everybody,” he said. “I really wanted to just have fun this summer and have a good season.
“OK, you have the (bad) record and what not, but Jason was there for me since I was 11, and he’s been a coach and friend to me ever since. I wanted to have a good time playing my last year with him. I plan on going to Myrtle Beach next year to play in college league down there, but this year I wanted one last chance with my friends.”
Zegarski managed an 11-year-old Springsteen in the Lawrence Little League and his attributes immediately jumped out. As usual, the most talented kid in little league plays shortstop, and that’s where Connor ended up.
“He’s definitely a skilled athlete,” Zegarski said. “His mom (Colleen) was a pretty good player when she played in high school.
“But what really jumped out about him back then was the way he carried himself on the field. You know he’s there, ready to play. He can compete with anybody on the field, and you know he’s going to bring it every time he’s out there.”
Springsteen enjoyed a stellar career, mostly as catcher, at Lawrence High School and with Post 414. He played sparingly at Wesley in the spring, hitting .175 in 40 at-bats as he learned the ropes of college ball. He also pitched in five games (with two starts) and was 1-0 despite a high ERA.
“It was fun,” he said. “It was a great first-year experience, understanding my freshman role. I’m there to learn and get experience first. I still have to work hard obviously. I was trying to get myself in a position where I could play if they needed someone to go in. I wanted to be ready. I’m a competitor, I wasn’t just a freshman.”
This summer, Springsteen was a man of many mitts, as he played infield, outfield, caught and pitched. He hit .328 with 12 runs scored and on the mound he was 1-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 37-2/3 innings.
Zegarski and Springsteen both feel his college future is most likely as a pitcher.
“He kept us in every ball game on the mound,” Zegarski said. “We threw him against the top teams and we were always in the game. He also played everywhere else we needed him to. He played a little third, second. He did everything he was asked to.”
And enjoyed doing it.
“It didn’t matter to me where I played, it was kind of cool playing all over,” Springsteen said. “Especially playing right field. I never played outfield before. I had a sense of what I was doing, but not a complete understanding of it all. The coaches directed me in a few ways and it worked out.
“It’s definitely a different experience in the outfield than it is at third base or shortstop. Basically it was a waiting game. I know balls might come my way. If not, you have to back up here and back up there.”
While some players feel they are more into the game while playing infield, Springsteen said it didn’t matter.
“You have to have the same mindset everywhere,” he said. “If you’re catching or at shortstop, centerfield or on the bench, you need to stay focused.”
The fact Connor decided to play for one more year was referred to as a “bonus” by Zegarski.
“Not only with his talent, but his leadership qualities, he was like the elder statesman,” the manager said. “Every year they talk about doing away with letting 19-year olds play, but I think it makes the competition from the league that much better when you have college kids coming back. There are less teams in legion now, so the more kids you get to play, the better it is.”
Especially in the case of guys like Springsteen, who are looking for one last opportunity to play with the guys they grew up with.
“Honestly you just want to go out and play, whether you win or lose,” Springsteen said. “We lost a lot this year, but baseball is a game of failure, no one really tells you that. Still, going out there was just a lot of fun.”
Connor felt it was especially fun playing for Zegarski; not only because of their relationship but because the manager is making a tremendous effort to revitalize baseball in his hometown.
“Jason really does care,” Springsteen said. “It’s always great to have someone like him as a coach. He played at the level I am now (at The College of New Jersey). To see a guy coming from the same place I came from, knowing the work ethic you need to play at the next level, is great.
“He wants to bring that work ethic to Lawrence. And I’ll tell you what, I think it’s working. I see improvement in a lot of players. What he brings to the table is great.”
Great enough to have made Springsteen want to return for one more year with the old gang, before he moves on in his baseball career.
Connor Springsteen pitches for American Legion Post 414.,
