Kason attends 'Tek School

July 22, 2007 | Boston Herald | By Rob Bradford



Kason Gabbard pulled up the seat in the clubhouse ordinarily occupied by Curt Schilling , sat down next to catcher Jason Varitek and his notebook full of scouting reports and officially began his sixth start of the season.


It was still two hours before the Red Sox lefty would toss his first pitch at Fenway Park in yesterday’s 11-2 victory against the Chicago White Sox, but the rookie has learned an important lesson since his last recall from Triple-A Pawtucket: Letting Varitek be your guide can make all the difference.


Following a complete-game shutout of Kansas City in his previous start, Gabbard admitted to not shaking off his catcher once. Yesterday, he allowed the White Sox just one run in seven innings on three hits and a walk. He struck out one and threw 86 pitches in improving to 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA.



According to Varitek, the sole reliance on the catcher’s expertise isn’t always the answer.


Game-planning is just a piece, and for some people, it’s a huge piece," Varitek said. "But it is a piece of the puzzle that counts. Some (pitchers) can’t even think about it. Some can’t even know anything, they just have to go out there and say, 'OK, I'm going to do it.' I'm an aid. I’m an aid to them making the best quality pitches they can. I’m a firm believer that the ball is in their hands. They have to be a firm believer in what they are doing."


Pitchers such as ex-Sox ace Pedro Martinez and current right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka are prone to utilize feel much more than most in complementing the game plan.


"You let somebody get acclimated and give different pieces at different times," Varitek said. "That’s part of taking steps with people."


Varitek won’t get the majority of credit for Gabbard’s improved ability to throw first-pitch strikes, or for the fact the lefty has allowed just 11 hits in his last four starts (28 innings). But helping Gabbard weave in and out of the White Sox lineup is a task Varitek should be applauded for.


"There’s a lot of factors that go into it," Varitek said. "Sometimes some pitchers can handle both realms, but some guys have to think just about making pitches. They don’t want to think about anything but making the pitch. Take Kason Gabbard. I don’t have much experience with him on the mound against these hitters with his stuff. So I have to use my best interpretation. But he still should have the ultimate say-so."


"He has to have the conviction in his pitch. He has to commit to every pitch he throws."