MATT MCGARRY

Height: 6-1  Weight: 185 Bats: Right  Throws: Right Hometown: Bedford, MA SCOUTING REPORT: Batting: Can get the bat on the ball when needed. If you can get ahead of him, you will be able to finish him off with pitches low and away. Pitching: Possesses the league's best knuckleball, but after that he has nothing more than a batting practice fastball. Fielding: Has great range to go along with some of the softest hands in the league. Turns the double play better than anyone. Baserunning: Has long legs which make him look slower than he actually is. Lost his explosive first step with a knee injury in high school. BIO: The word 'potential' and the name Matt McGarry have been synonymous throughout his ten-year wiffleball career. "This kid had all the tools-he can hit, run, and throw with the best of them," says Izzy Schlmoe, head of player development for the Butchers. But as the seasons roll by and the losses have added up the frustration has built in this once happy -go- lucky ballplayer. "Some other players just don't understand," according to the Dominican born McGarry,"my desire to win still burns strong--but how many times can you beat a dog until it just walks away." True, McGarry's "antics" are often perceived as pure lazy. "He bats with one hand and plays with no shoes on, when draft day rolls around he's last on our board. The kid can basically suck a d**k as far as I'm concerned," said a member of past champion Bomb Squad who wishes to remain anonymous. He has made it to the playoffs a mere 3 times in his less than illustrious career but feels that stage was built for him. "What a great feeling it was, the field was beautiful and nothing is better than playing in front of your friends and family. I can only imagine the feeling of hoisting that gold above my head...maybe one day. I can't remember ever training as hard as I did this off- season. I've also been seeing a sports psychologist to work on channeling my attitude towards the positive." It sounds like he's ready but some questions still remain-Can he find a team that fits his style? or will he conform his playing style to that of his team? How will his "new attitude" handle an early round loss? And the biggest question is still out there- can he make it to the big one and win it all....."potentially." -BWA