The following feature on Army baseball player Clint Moore appeared in the Cape Cod Chronicle on July 8, 2010, and details Moore's time in the Cape League. It was written by Eric Adler.
HARWICH — After the third out is recorded, ending the top half of the inning in this late June game between the Harwich Mariners and Cotuit Kettleers, Clint Moore doesn’t hesitate, not even for a second. He tucks in his chin, cradles his glove against his chest and makes a mad dash back to the dugout.
It may seem like a simple act, lacking any kind of style or significance, and it’s one that likely goes unnoticed by the flock of fans sitting in the forest green grandstands at Whitehouse Field. But the gesture actually speaks volumes about Moore and how the all-purpose Harwich infielder approaches the game – with complete commitment and total respect.
To Moore, who’s better known for hammering out hits and diving deep into the hole to save runs than his signature sprints on and off the field, there’s no such thing as a trite or trivial task. To him, they’re all the same.
Playing the game the right way by favoring hustle over hubris is Moore’s MO. It’s rather remarkable in some respects (and certainly refreshing to see after two Major League outfielders, Florida’s Hanley Ramirez and Tampa Bay’s BJ Upton, recently loafed while tracking down balls that got by them).
But then again, would you really expect anything less than the maximum effort from a student of the United States Military Academy?
“I feel like I earned the opportunity to be here by being that type of player, so there’s no reason to start slacking now,” said Moore, who just finished his junior year at West Point. “There’s lots of players who would kill to be here, so I feel like I owe it to them, the fans, my family, my teammates at school and myself to do everything at 100 percent. Anything less than that would be a letdown.”
So far, he hasn’t disappointed anyone.
Through the first half of the season, Moore is leading the Mariners with a .289 average (which ranks fifth-best among all Cape League hitters), coupled with an impressive .385 on-base percentage and teambest eight RBIs. A lifelong shortstop, he’s also shown versatility by playing both second and third.
“Clint is one of the best kids I’ve ever coached down here,” said eight-year Harwich Field Manager Steve Englert. “He’s a great character kid. He works hard and just shuts his mouth and goes out there and competes every single day. I’m not surprised by the success he’s had here. Not at all.”
Much of Moore’s strong start can be attributed to the fact that he uses wood bats in batting practice every day at school as well as his penchant for picking out good pitches to hit. But ultimately, it’s his painstaking attention to detail that’s been the driving force behind his success.
“The discipline I’ve gotten at school has helped prepare me and helped me to stay focused at all times,” said Moore. “It’s taught me to make sure everything has a purpose and that you’re not just going through the motions. It’s allowed me to extend my focus periods for much longer than what I used to in high school, when I just relied on talent to take over.”
While at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., talent was often enough. Moore hit .529 his senior season and had scholarship offers to play at several baseball-rich schools, such as Elon, TCU, Richmond and North Carolina State. But he decided to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a captain in the military, and chose West Point. (Moore’s younger sister, Megan, joined him as a cadet at the NY-based school).
“The free schooling was a big factor, but I also wanted something more than the typical college baseball experience,” said Moore, a human geography major, “and there’s no better way to do it than by serving your country. It’s been even more than I envisioned.”
For better, and sometimes, for worse.
Before he could officially begin his quest to become an officer, Moore and his fellow cadets had to complete a grueling basic training regiment known on campus as “Beast.”
“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever had to do, not fun one bit,” said Moore. “You wake up at 4:30 and run until breakfast at seven, you have to memorize hundreds of pieces of knowledge, which is tedious and tiresome, and you’re constantly getting yelled out at every second because you don’t have a clue what you’re doing. Every time you mess up, you’re getting yelled at by five different people. Every day felt like a week.”
Once school began, things didn’t get much easier.
Freshmen, who are called “Plebes” (Plebeians were the lower class of ancient Roman society) are required to walk with their hands cupped at all times. When questioned, they must be able to recite what’s being served three meals in advance, and are obligated to address every upperclassmen with the predetermined greeting for that week.
“One week, it might be ‘Beat Navy,’” and Moore, “and it’s always followed by sir or ma’am or corporal, etc. You have to address everyone by their rank and if you don’t they’re going to get in your face.”
To further grasp just how strenuous the transition from civilian to military life is, consider Moore’s daily schedule: 6:15 wake up 6:40 breakfast formation 7:00 mandatory breakfast 7:30 classes begin 7:30 to 11:55 morning classes 12:05 lunch formation 12:10 mandatory lunch 12:30 to 1:40 homework hour or professional military ethics class once a week.
1:55 to 2:50 afternoon class 3:20 to 7:00 baseball practice 7:30 to 11:00 dinner and homework 11:30 lights out, Taps “I think you’d be inhuman if you didn’t get a little tired of it,” said Moore. “But once you’re into the routine and flow of it, your body adapts to it and it becomes second nature to you. It gets to the point where it’s the only way you know how to do things.”
It took Moore an entire semester to become accustomed to the strict surroundings, but it took him much less time to get acquainted on the diamond, where he was immediately named a starter, and immediately became a star.
As a freshman, Moore hit .350 with a team-best 64 hits, six of which came in one game, tying a school record. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year and made the conference’s all-first team.
As a sophomore, Moore had one of the most sensational seasons in school history. He hit .395 and set school records for both multi-hit (25) and multi-RBI (20) games. He also registered a fielding percentage of .971 while helping Army establish a team record of 66 double plays, 38 of which he helped turn.
Those numbers were good enough to merit an invitation to play in the Cape League, a long-established stepping stone to the pros. Problem was, he simply couldn’t come as cadets are prohibited from playing summer ball until they finish their military training requirements.
So while many of Moore’s colleagues were enhancing their skills on the field last summer, he was at Fort Benning, Ga., shadowing a real Army unit to complete his cadet troupe leadership training.
But Moore didn’t forget about his dream of playing in the Cape League, and neither did Englert, who marveled at Moore’s ability when Boston College (where Englert is the assistant coach) faced Army in the NCAA regionals in the spring of 2009.
“What impressed me about Clint was the way he ran out ground balls and even the way he competed even in pregame,” said Englert. “The way he went about his business, I could tell he was a little ahead of everybody else as far as how he played the game.”
Still, what a coach can see from the opposing side of the dugout doesn’t always tell the entire story. That’s why the number one concern of Cape League coaches – the architects of their summer clubs – is character, especially since they’re fielding a team of all-stars where players’ egos can sometimes be as big as the ball field.
With Moore, however, Englert had no worries. He knew he was getting more than just a well-mannered young man, but rather a leader with unparalleled credentials, as Moore was the only college baseball player this year to be nominated for the AAU Sullivan Award.
So prestigious is the Sullivan Award, which honors the most outstanding amateur athletes in the United States for their virtuous qualities, steadfast commitment to sportsmanship and strong moral character, that it makes the Golden Spikes look second-rate and the Heisman look like a hand-me-down. Past winners include Michelle Kwan, Michael Phelps and Tim Tebow.
Only 14 semifinalists were in the running for the award, and the six finalists, including Moore, were invited for the presentation award at the lavish New York Athletic Club at the end of April.
The trophy ultimately went to paralympic ultra marathon runner Amy Palmiero-Winters, who competes for the United States Track and Field team. But for Moore — who was joined by his parents, his two uncles, his sister, his girlfriend, his college coach and Army head office representative — to be a part of the event, he said, was a profoundly unique honor.
“I didn’t know who nominated me and I still don’t know, but I guess they felt like I was deserving,” said Moore. “I’m not sure if I was or not. I’m just thankful to be considered for it. Maybe I did something right along the way.”
Since then, Moore has had several more special moments, particularly here on the Cape. One of them came in a game he didn’t even play in a couple of weeks ago when the Mariners donned red jerseys in a show of support for those serving in the armed forces.
Every Cape League franchise hosting a Friday night game this season is participating in “Red Shirt Friday,” a patriotic tribute which was made possible thanks to a financial donation by Advanced Embroidery and Eye Health Services.
“To be able to wear the red jersey and honor the men and women in the military was incredible,” said Moore. “But to look back in the stands and see all the fans wearing red was what gave me chills.”
For Moore, the top highlight on the field came a week and a half ago when he hit a walk-off double in Harwich’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Cotuit in the first game of a seven-inning double header.
And what did Moore do for an encore in the second part of the twin bill? He made a relief appearance to bail out the Mariners overworked bullpen, striking out four and allowing just two hits over three scoreless innings.
“Clint pitched a little bit at school, and I kind of jokingly threw it out there by asking him to pitch, but he wanted to go out,” said Englert. “That’s just the kind of player he is. He’s a true competitor with a big heart, and I think he has the respect of everyone on this team.”
Adding another layer to his sterling season, Moore (hitting in the DH spot) smashed a three-run home run to break a scoreless tie in the fourth in Harwich’s 5-0 win over Chatham Thursday night.
Without question, Moore is a legitimate pro prospect, but fans won’t be seeing him at a major league park anytime soon, since his military obligations preclude him from signing with a team straight out of school.
Like all cadets, Moore owes the Army five years after graduation, although he can apply for a release from active duty after two in what’s known as the Alternative Service Option Program, which allows officer-athletes to pursue their pro careers provided they serve eight years in the U.S. reserves upon retirement (they must also be willing to incur a financial penalty for opting out early).
Two current players have taken advantage of this program: Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Cole White and Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Nick Hill, who spent part of the 2006 season with the Harwich Mariners.
Still, a lot can happen in two years, and the possibility that Moore could be fighting on foreign soil is very real.
“It all depends on what unit you get put with, and if you report to a unit that’s scheduled to deploy, you’re going to deploy with them,” said Moore. “There’s no way around that, but you get to the point where you’re willing to do that.”
It’s safe to say there aren’t a whole lot of prospective major leaguers who’d be willing to sacrifice their dream of playing in The Show for the sake of safeguarding their country, who would gladly forfeit a fortune and put their life on the line to protect others. But to Moore, it’s not so much a decision as it is his destiny.
“My army career is my number one focus, because I feel like a life in which you don’t help out others isn’t a life at all,” he said. “Anything I get to do in baseball is just a bonus.”
No one knows just where he’ll end up, but one thing is for certain: whether he’s on the frontlines or on the playing field, any team that has Clint Moore going to battle for them has hit the jackpot.
HARWICH — After the third out is recorded, ending the top half of the inning in this late June game between the Harwich Mariners and Cotuit Kettleers, Clint Moore doesn’t hesitate, not even for a second. He tucks in his chin, cradles his glove against his chest and makes a mad dash back to the dugout.
It may seem like a simple act, lacking any kind of style or significance, and it’s one that likely goes unnoticed by the flock of fans sitting in the forest green grandstands at Whitehouse Field. But the gesture actually speaks volumes about Moore and how the all-purpose Harwich infielder approaches the game – with complete commitment and total respect.
To Moore, who’s better known for hammering out hits and diving deep into the hole to save runs than his signature sprints on and off the field, there’s no such thing as a trite or trivial task. To him, they’re all the same.
Playing the game the right way by favoring hustle over hubris is Moore’s MO. It’s rather remarkable in some respects (and certainly refreshing to see after two Major League outfielders, Florida’s Hanley Ramirez and Tampa Bay’s BJ Upton, recently loafed while tracking down balls that got by them).
But then again, would you really expect anything less than the maximum effort from a student of the United States Military Academy?
“I feel like I earned the opportunity to be here by being that type of player, so there’s no reason to start slacking now,” said Moore, who just finished his junior year at West Point. “There’s lots of players who would kill to be here, so I feel like I owe it to them, the fans, my family, my teammates at school and myself to do everything at 100 percent. Anything less than that would be a letdown.”
So far, he hasn’t disappointed anyone.
Through the first half of the season, Moore is leading the Mariners with a .289 average (which ranks fifth-best among all Cape League hitters), coupled with an impressive .385 on-base percentage and teambest eight RBIs. A lifelong shortstop, he’s also shown versatility by playing both second and third.
“Clint is one of the best kids I’ve ever coached down here,” said eight-year Harwich Field Manager Steve Englert. “He’s a great character kid. He works hard and just shuts his mouth and goes out there and competes every single day. I’m not surprised by the success he’s had here. Not at all.”
Much of Moore’s strong start can be attributed to the fact that he uses wood bats in batting practice every day at school as well as his penchant for picking out good pitches to hit. But ultimately, it’s his painstaking attention to detail that’s been the driving force behind his success.
“The discipline I’ve gotten at school has helped prepare me and helped me to stay focused at all times,” said Moore. “It’s taught me to make sure everything has a purpose and that you’re not just going through the motions. It’s allowed me to extend my focus periods for much longer than what I used to in high school, when I just relied on talent to take over.”
While at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., talent was often enough. Moore hit .529 his senior season and had scholarship offers to play at several baseball-rich schools, such as Elon, TCU, Richmond and North Carolina State. But he decided to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a captain in the military, and chose West Point. (Moore’s younger sister, Megan, joined him as a cadet at the NY-based school).
“The free schooling was a big factor, but I also wanted something more than the typical college baseball experience,” said Moore, a human geography major, “and there’s no better way to do it than by serving your country. It’s been even more than I envisioned.”
For better, and sometimes, for worse.
Before he could officially begin his quest to become an officer, Moore and his fellow cadets had to complete a grueling basic training regiment known on campus as “Beast.”
“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever had to do, not fun one bit,” said Moore. “You wake up at 4:30 and run until breakfast at seven, you have to memorize hundreds of pieces of knowledge, which is tedious and tiresome, and you’re constantly getting yelled out at every second because you don’t have a clue what you’re doing. Every time you mess up, you’re getting yelled at by five different people. Every day felt like a week.”
Once school began, things didn’t get much easier.
Freshmen, who are called “Plebes” (Plebeians were the lower class of ancient Roman society) are required to walk with their hands cupped at all times. When questioned, they must be able to recite what’s being served three meals in advance, and are obligated to address every upperclassmen with the predetermined greeting for that week.
“One week, it might be ‘Beat Navy,’” and Moore, “and it’s always followed by sir or ma’am or corporal, etc. You have to address everyone by their rank and if you don’t they’re going to get in your face.”
To further grasp just how strenuous the transition from civilian to military life is, consider Moore’s daily schedule: 6:15 wake up 6:40 breakfast formation 7:00 mandatory breakfast 7:30 classes begin 7:30 to 11:55 morning classes 12:05 lunch formation 12:10 mandatory lunch 12:30 to 1:40 homework hour or professional military ethics class once a week.
1:55 to 2:50 afternoon class 3:20 to 7:00 baseball practice 7:30 to 11:00 dinner and homework 11:30 lights out, Taps “I think you’d be inhuman if you didn’t get a little tired of it,” said Moore. “But once you’re into the routine and flow of it, your body adapts to it and it becomes second nature to you. It gets to the point where it’s the only way you know how to do things.”
It took Moore an entire semester to become accustomed to the strict surroundings, but it took him much less time to get acquainted on the diamond, where he was immediately named a starter, and immediately became a star.
As a freshman, Moore hit .350 with a team-best 64 hits, six of which came in one game, tying a school record. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year and made the conference’s all-first team.
As a sophomore, Moore had one of the most sensational seasons in school history. He hit .395 and set school records for both multi-hit (25) and multi-RBI (20) games. He also registered a fielding percentage of .971 while helping Army establish a team record of 66 double plays, 38 of which he helped turn.
Those numbers were good enough to merit an invitation to play in the Cape League, a long-established stepping stone to the pros. Problem was, he simply couldn’t come as cadets are prohibited from playing summer ball until they finish their military training requirements.
So while many of Moore’s colleagues were enhancing their skills on the field last summer, he was at Fort Benning, Ga., shadowing a real Army unit to complete his cadet troupe leadership training.
But Moore didn’t forget about his dream of playing in the Cape League, and neither did Englert, who marveled at Moore’s ability when Boston College (where Englert is the assistant coach) faced Army in the NCAA regionals in the spring of 2009.
“What impressed me about Clint was the way he ran out ground balls and even the way he competed even in pregame,” said Englert. “The way he went about his business, I could tell he was a little ahead of everybody else as far as how he played the game.”
Still, what a coach can see from the opposing side of the dugout doesn’t always tell the entire story. That’s why the number one concern of Cape League coaches – the architects of their summer clubs – is character, especially since they’re fielding a team of all-stars where players’ egos can sometimes be as big as the ball field.
With Moore, however, Englert had no worries. He knew he was getting more than just a well-mannered young man, but rather a leader with unparalleled credentials, as Moore was the only college baseball player this year to be nominated for the AAU Sullivan Award.
So prestigious is the Sullivan Award, which honors the most outstanding amateur athletes in the United States for their virtuous qualities, steadfast commitment to sportsmanship and strong moral character, that it makes the Golden Spikes look second-rate and the Heisman look like a hand-me-down. Past winners include Michelle Kwan, Michael Phelps and Tim Tebow.
Only 14 semifinalists were in the running for the award, and the six finalists, including Moore, were invited for the presentation award at the lavish New York Athletic Club at the end of April.
The trophy ultimately went to paralympic ultra marathon runner Amy Palmiero-Winters, who competes for the United States Track and Field team. But for Moore — who was joined by his parents, his two uncles, his sister, his girlfriend, his college coach and Army head office representative — to be a part of the event, he said, was a profoundly unique honor.
“I didn’t know who nominated me and I still don’t know, but I guess they felt like I was deserving,” said Moore. “I’m not sure if I was or not. I’m just thankful to be considered for it. Maybe I did something right along the way.”
Since then, Moore has had several more special moments, particularly here on the Cape. One of them came in a game he didn’t even play in a couple of weeks ago when the Mariners donned red jerseys in a show of support for those serving in the armed forces.
Every Cape League franchise hosting a Friday night game this season is participating in “Red Shirt Friday,” a patriotic tribute which was made possible thanks to a financial donation by Advanced Embroidery and Eye Health Services.
“To be able to wear the red jersey and honor the men and women in the military was incredible,” said Moore. “But to look back in the stands and see all the fans wearing red was what gave me chills.”
For Moore, the top highlight on the field came a week and a half ago when he hit a walk-off double in Harwich’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Cotuit in the first game of a seven-inning double header.
And what did Moore do for an encore in the second part of the twin bill? He made a relief appearance to bail out the Mariners overworked bullpen, striking out four and allowing just two hits over three scoreless innings.
“Clint pitched a little bit at school, and I kind of jokingly threw it out there by asking him to pitch, but he wanted to go out,” said Englert. “That’s just the kind of player he is. He’s a true competitor with a big heart, and I think he has the respect of everyone on this team.”
Adding another layer to his sterling season, Moore (hitting in the DH spot) smashed a three-run home run to break a scoreless tie in the fourth in Harwich’s 5-0 win over Chatham Thursday night.
Without question, Moore is a legitimate pro prospect, but fans won’t be seeing him at a major league park anytime soon, since his military obligations preclude him from signing with a team straight out of school.
Like all cadets, Moore owes the Army five years after graduation, although he can apply for a release from active duty after two in what’s known as the Alternative Service Option Program, which allows officer-athletes to pursue their pro careers provided they serve eight years in the U.S. reserves upon retirement (they must also be willing to incur a financial penalty for opting out early).
Two current players have taken advantage of this program: Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Cole White and Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Nick Hill, who spent part of the 2006 season with the Harwich Mariners.
Still, a lot can happen in two years, and the possibility that Moore could be fighting on foreign soil is very real.
“It all depends on what unit you get put with, and if you report to a unit that’s scheduled to deploy, you’re going to deploy with them,” said Moore. “There’s no way around that, but you get to the point where you’re willing to do that.”
It’s safe to say there aren’t a whole lot of prospective major leaguers who’d be willing to sacrifice their dream of playing in The Show for the sake of safeguarding their country, who would gladly forfeit a fortune and put their life on the line to protect others. But to Moore, it’s not so much a decision as it is his destiny.
“My army career is my number one focus, because I feel like a life in which you don’t help out others isn’t a life at all,” he said. “Anything I get to do in baseball is just a bonus.”
No one knows just where he’ll end up, but one thing is for certain: whether he’s on the frontlines or on the playing field, any team that has Clint Moore going to battle for them has hit the jackpot.
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