Tob's Moye soaking up the game
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on July 26, 2012 1:48 PM
If baseball has taught Cambric Moye anything it is that things do not always go as planned.
But, there is always tomorrow.
Moye has been reminded of that lesson constantly this summer while playing with the Wilson Tobs of the wooden-bat Coastal Plain League.
A former catcher at Eastern Wayne, Moye recently completed his sophomore season at UNC Greensboro. Moye hit .270 for the Spartans this spring with 27 hits, 13 RBI, 23 walks and three home runs in 100 at-bats.
Translating that success to the CPL this summer has been a challenge. The grind of playing every day, adjusting to better pitching and staying mentally focused has brought about its share of adversity.
Moye's biggest adversary has not been another team's No. 1 pitcher or key reliever instead, it has been Moye himself.
Getting locked in mentally at the plate and finding confidence in his abilities has been Moye's biggest struggle. He is batting .158 with nine hits and three RBI in 57 at-bats. Moye has started just 16 of 46 games and the Tobs (17-29 overall) sit toward the bottom of the CPL's East Division.
"Things aren't really going as planned," Moye said. "It's a grind and a really long schedule. I'm trying to use it as more of a learning experience. I'm trying to work on my approach at the plate, hitting is all in your head. I'm working on just being prepared when I get to the plate."
The CPL regular season crams 50-plus games in just over two months. With few off days, Moye knows his body can take quite a beating behind the plate. The proper diet, hydration, rest, stretching and icing his knees and hips are all part of his daily regimen of getting through a grueling summer of baseball.
"It's all about trying to rest when you can and getting a work out in, especially with your legs," Moye said. "I try to ice down my knees and hips when I can and stay hydrated."
Establishing a relationship with a new set of teammates, particularly Wilson's pitching staff, has been essential for Moye. Developing a feel for each pitcher's demeanor and their abilities on the mound as well as each opponent's tendencies has paid dividends.
Wilson ranks fourth in the CPL in team earned run average.
"It' s become easier now," Moye said of getting to know the Tobs' pitching staff. "It's all about seeing what guys have in the bullpen. Most guys throw around 85 to 90 (miles per hour). I've been working on trying to catch a two-seam (fastball) and blocking a slider in the dirt and throwing runners out."
Moye's summer with the Tobs is quickly coming to a close. Wilson has seven games remaining on its schedule, and eight more opportunities for Moye to soak in all he can.
Then it is back to UNCG to begin preparing for another season full of tomorrows.