Rookie shakes off pressure

NASHUA – You won’t see any flames around Matt Nandin’s as he patrols the infield at shortstop for the American Defenders of New Hampshire. Maybe there should be since it’s been a baptism by fire for the former Le Moyne College standout.

Since being handed the every day shortstop job early last month, Nandin has had his ups and downs, but that’s to be expected for a rookie.

“Just throw him out there,” Defenders manager Brian Daubach said, “and hopefully he can be a little more consistent, that’s all. He’s got a great attitude, he’s a competitor and a hard worker. Those are the only things you can control when you come to the ballpark . . . I think the results will come.”

“Hopefully I can get into a groove and finish up the season strong,” said Nandin, who was discovered at a Phillies tryout by a scout who is a friend of Daubach’s.

And the day he arrived was the first day he played.

“I was kind of ready for it,” the Syracuse native said. “I was expecting to play right away, so I’m just trying to get in a groove and be comfortable here.”

Nandin was seen as a better defensive option for the team than veteran Greg Lemon, who can play other positions. He has made some spectacular plays, but some of the easier ones have eluded him. He had seven errors in his first 20 games.

“I think my defense has been a little more comfortable than the hitting,” Nandin said, citing a two-month layoff after his college season as a reason for some rust. “The errors I’ve made, well, that will still happen. I still make most of the plays. I just have to bear down and try to figure everything out.”

Nandin says the manager has given him every opportunity.

“He’s been patient with me and I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Nandin said. “I just want to help the team any way I can.”

“That’s part of being his first time in pro ball at this level,” Daubach said. “He’s got some skills, good hands and good feet. I’ve told him to keep his head up. Errors are going to happen, especially at that position. It’s the toughest position on the field, you’re going to make the most errors being the shortstop. You’ve got to get over and get the next one, there’s going to be a lot more balls coming to you. He’s working hard, taking ground balls every day . . . He’s turned a lot of double plays that have been very impressive.”

As for hitting, the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder admits he’s no power threat, but he’s hovering around the .250 mark as the switch to a wooden bat hasn’t been that difficult.

“It’s not much of a difference in my game,” Nandin said. “Just the fact I hadn’t seen live pitching in a couple of months. That’s mostly the (reason) that it’s taken me a little while to get the bat going.”

“It’s an adjustment, were tinkering with his swing a little bit,” Daubach said. “Anytime you have dramatic changes, it’s going to take a while before you feel comfortable. He needs a couple of games where he’ll have quality at-bats, see some results and he’ll have some more confidence.”

Nandin is soaking it all in.

“It’s fun, playing every day, showing up, everyone wants to be here, it’s a good atmosphere,” Handin said. “I like it. I like showing up at the park every day and having a good time. I want to keep doing this for as long as I can.”

It certainly sounds like the heat doesn’t bother him a bit.