MORGAN HILL -- There was something enticingly different about this transfer sophomore, who, at 15, looked like he was old enough to vote.
With his charisma, candor, genuine love for the game and, yes, his talent, Tony Austin made quite the first impression for Live Oak coach Mark Cummins when he joined the Acorns after playing varsity ball as a freshman at Santa Teresa.
Varsity as a freshman? Austin had to be reliable, Cummins mulled. He was a backstop at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds and had caught Santa Teresa pitchers who would go on to play for Division I programs. All of this went through Cummins' head midway through the 2007 season when his starting catcher, Adam Perez, went down with injury.
So, yes, Austin had to be reliable; there was no other option. Live Oak's depth at catcher started at Perez and stopped at Austin.
"I wasn't nervous. It was just fun for me," Austin said Tuesday. "I just had to go out there and give it my best; do whatever I can to help the team."
Austin had the team's fifth-best batting average (.338) and second-most RBIs (20) that year - and the Acorns had their first of two consecutive Mount Hamilton Division championships.
"You could say we were fortunate to have Tony in more ways than one," Cummins said with a smile. "We knew he had a lot of talent, but he was also coachable. That made him successful right away."
Live Oak was just as fortunate the following season, when Austin took over full-time plate duty after Perez, then a senior, broke his wrist in late March.
Austin rose to the occasion again. With him blocking table-top curveballs from 10-game winners Matthew Cummins and Tim O'Rourke, and turning in another solid year at the plate (.327 batting, 18 RBIs), the Acorns won their first section title.
Cummins vividly remembers Austin's two hits in the Division III championship game, a 3-2 victory over Santa Cruz, but, more so, remembers the low pitches Austin blocked. His defensive work made him an easy pick for the first-team all-league list in 2008.
"It's very critical at any level to have a catcher like Tony," Cummins, now in his 23rd year at Live Oak, said. "Catchers like him can help you win championships. Tony is one of the best we've had since I've been here.
"Without a catcher like Tony, you have balls going into the backstop, and that's a free 90 feet - that's huge."
To try and steal against Austin borders between daring and foolish. During Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Westmont, Live Oak reliever J.P. Howard threw a breaking ball in the dirt, prompting Westmont's Brian Scott to make a sprint for third base.
From his knees, Austin popped up, palmed the ball lying to his right and, in one fluid motion, turned and fired to sophomore Rich Martinez at third.
One out.
"Nice throw, catcher," a Westmont fan said between slow claps.
What sets Austin apart from other catchers are his work ethic and reception. Those have translated into another big season for Austin, who is batting .329 with eight doubles and 19 RBIs.
"He takes in everything you tell him," Live Oak pitching coach C.J. Goularte said. "In high school, a lot of kids come in after being all-stars in Little League or whatnot, and they're coming in thinking they know everything. Then there's Tony. You tell him what to do, and he snaps right to it."
There is something different about Austin - now a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior - just like there was something noticeably different about this year's team going into the season: an almost entirely new batch of Acorns. Live Oak graduated eight impact seniors from 2008, notably Matthew Cummins and O'Rourke, and appeared headed for an up-and-down rebuilding season.
But the Acorns exploded out of the gate, winning seven of their first 12 league contests to assume control of second place. Meanwhile, their rotation has flourished behind Martinez (4-4), an emerging ace.
"Richy has made the biggest step up," Austin said. "I've had a blast playing with him and the younger guys. I'm excited to see how they do from here."
Austin has been a major cog in Martinez's success.
"I was pretty nervous my first couple of games, but I have all the confidence in the world now," said Martinez, whose 26 strikeouts are a team-best among starting pitchers. "I can throw any pitch I want. I know I can go up there with two strikes and throw a curveball in the dirt. Tony will stop it."
Aside from being a stat producer, Austin has wielded another role in 2009, one that can't be measured.
"He's become a great leader over the years," Cummins said. "He's not a selfish player at all. He wants everyone to do well. He's a vocal leader and he leads by example. He works hard. He's shown the younger guys the light."
The elder Acorns agree.
"He's a great teammate," Howard, a senior, said. "He's the guy we turn to after wins and losses. We all feed off his confidence. He's a true leader."
One of the main reasons why Austin's teammates - and opponents - love him is because he loves the game.
In the wake of a third straight loss, 5-4 to Pioneer, Austin still managed his trademark cat-who-ate-the-canary grin during Tuesday's practice at Sarich Field.
"I try to make it business-like out here, but I try to enjoy it as much as I can because baseball is nothing you're not having fun, you know?" Austin said. "You have to have fun out here; this is high school. After this, you're playing for a scholarship and then for a salary. You have to enjoy this. When you're having fun, good things will happen."
Austin, 18, plans to keep having fun next year, playing for former Live Oak assistant coach Erik Wagle next year at San Jose City College. Wagle, who's an associate coach at SJCC, said Austin will be the first Live Oak alumnus he has coached.
"I targeted him when I got up here," Wagle said. "Tony is a great kid to coach. He's a great catcher, but he's just as good a hitter. He's selective at the plate. He makes the other team's pitcher work, too."
There is something different about Austin, who understands that everything "fun" about baseball could end this week - along with his stellar prep career.
Live Oak (15-12 overall, 8-10 league), which has not missed the playoffs in 18 years, has lost four straight and is alone in sixth place heading into the final week of regular-season play. The Acorns visit Leigh today and Branham on Friday. In between, they will host rival Sobrato on Thursday.
Live Oak will likely have to win two of those three remaining games to make the section playoffs.
"There's no time to be nervous right now," Austin said. "We just have to go out and do our best. We're Live Oak. We can do anything."
Would missing the playoffs dampen his outlook on his career?
"No way. Growing up with these guys, playing the game we love and watching each other improve has been the best part."
For the Acorns, the hardest part next year will be replacing Austin.
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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