The Phillips factor - Capahas' ace leads team's title chase

When Richie Phillips underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff in 1997 and continued to experience shoulder problems the next several years, the thought crossed his mind that he might never pitch again.

Instead, the Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union veteran right-hander has returned to his familiar role as one of the staff aces, with a 5-0 record and an earned-run average of well under 2.00 -- even if he doesn't have his old velocity.

"I'm not throwing as hard as I used to. I probably won't ever again. But I'm a lot smarter. I want them to hit the ball now instead of striking everybody out," Phillips said with a smile.

Phillips and the Capahas shoot for their second straight National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional when the tournament resumes today at Capaha Field. He is likely to be on the mound at 1 p.m. when the Capahas play either the Springfield (Mo.) Slashers or Southern Illinois Merchants, who square off tonight. The Capahas need to win two games Saturday to defend their crown.

"Richie has pitched in so many big games for us over the years and I feel really comfortable with him on the mound," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

Phillips, 33, was the ace of the Capahas for several years from the early to mid-1990s, compiling a 28-0 record during one stretch spanning three seasons.

But his throwing shoulder began to give him problems and he was diagnosed with having a torn rotator cuff that required surgery.

"I don't remember any one specific pitch," Phillips said. "I guess it started bugging me really bad in 1995, 1996 and they said it was just a buildup."

Phillips attempted a comeback in 1998 but the shoulder wasn't strong enough and he didn't last long. That scenario repeated itself for most of the next few years.

"I tried a couple of times to come back, but I just wasn't right. I think I never really worked out hard enough over the winter," he said. "Yeah, I was worried I wouldn't be able to pitch again, especially with my age."

Phillips was finally strong enough to last an entire summer season last year and he compiled a 5-2 record, but he wasn't nearly satisfied.

"I think I kind of embarrassed myself last year. I was 5-2, but I didn't pitch like I wanted," he said. "I decided about two weeks before the season started that I was going to pitch and that didn't help me."

This year, he was fully prepared to start the season in early June, thanks in large part to winter workouts with fellow Shawnee (Ill.) High School and Southeast Missouri State University product Todd Pennington, a pitcher who was getting ready for his second year of professional baseball.

"Todd's a good friend of mine and he needed somebody to work out with this winter," Phillips said. "All winter long we worked out, swimming, lifting weights, throwing. I was basically trying to help get him ready, but it helped me out a lot. I think I finally got my shoulder strong enough, like it should be."

The results have been impressive. Thanks in large part to a wicked slider and impeccable control, Phillips has allowed just 30 hits in 38 1/3 innings, with 30 strikeouts and only six walks.

"There are a lot of reasons he's still so successful," Bolen said. "The experience of knowing what pitches work the best on getting people out and throwing it in the right location. When you get a little older you realize you don't have to throw it 93 miles per hour to get people out, but he can still get it up there pretty good when he needs to."

Phillips appreciates the compliment from his manager -- who also happens to be his father-in-law. Phillips and Bolen's daughter Michele were married in 1997.

"I signed a lifetime contract with the Capahas in 1997," Phillips said, laughing. "I guess I'll keep pitching until Jess comes in one year and says I need to quit."

Phillips, who works in the Cape Girardeau area for a utility company based in St. Louis, said he actually hopes to keep pitching for at least a few more years -- as long as he remains effective.

"I enjoy it," he said. "As long as I don't embarrass myself, I want to keep going."Regional resumes

Bolen will be looking for more offense from his squad this weekend. The Capahas (25-7) had only 15 hits in three games last weekend, when the double-elimination tournament started.

"We've got to hit the ball better," Bolen said. "I know it's a different game with wood bats, but we should be doing better than this. And I feel a lot better now after we got 16 hits Tuesday (in a win over a St. Louis squad)."

The Capahas are 2-1 in the tournament, Southern Illinois is 1-1 and Springfield is 2-0. If Springfield wins tonight, then Southern Illinois is eliminated and the Capahas must beat the Slashers twice Saturday.

If Southern Illinois wins tonight, then all three squads will still be alive Saturday. The Capahas would play the Slashers at 1 p.m. and the winner would face the Merchants at 4 p.m. for the title.

Right-hander Jason Chavez (6-1), who has had a brilliant rookie season, will likely start a second game Saturday if the Capahas win their first contest.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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