Maldonado makes the best of Hawaii, championships

There are hints even over the phone that Frank Maldonado might be down playing his current situation when he uses the phrases “decent time” or, “It’s nice ... OK.”

Certainly winning back-to-back NCAA Division II World Series and coaching at a college baseball summer league in Hawaii qualify for more colorful adjectives than just “decent” or “nice.”

“I can’t complain too much,” said Maldonado as he let out a chuckle and admitted that life could be worse.

The former Barstow Community College assistant coach is working as an assistant coach with the Oahu Paddlers in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League. The Paddlers are currently tied for first place in the league at 6-4.

The University of Tampa went 40-18 and had a batting average of .291 in 2005, the year before Maldonado joined as a hitting coach for the Spartans. The Spartans won the Div. II title for the first time since 1998 in 2006. Their record jumped to 54-6, and their batting averages skyrocketed to .376.

“When I accepted the position, I knew what the program could be,” Maldonado said. “When I got there, it almost went to another level.”

Tampa lost six players to the Major League Baseball draft following the 2006 season but still defended its title with a 7-2 victory against Columbus State on June 1. The Spartans finished the season with a 53-10 record and a .356 batting average.

Maldonado is quick to deflect recognition for the Spartans sudden boost at the plate.

“I don’t necessarily say it was because of me,” Maldonado said. “I think I have contributed some to the offensive side.”

Even though the Maldonado credits Tampa coach Joe Urso’s ability to recruit good athletes, Urso sees a great coach on the rise.

“He works hard. He has a passion for the game that’s just like no other,” Urso said. “The players like him a lot, and he gets the most out of them.”

However, there was originally doubt whether Maldonado would get the job at Tampa.

Urso’s small coaching staff didn’t always have the time to give every hitter attention. He often received inquiries about coaching positions but said he didn’t want to interfere with the chemistry the staff already had.

“We received calls, but we never looked at them seriously,” Urso said. “When Frank called, I wasn’t sure I wanted to add another coach.”

Maldonado was in the running for the position with former Major League baseball player Reggie Jefferson but earned a second look through a mutual friend.

Joe Martinez, a former Desert Dispatch sport editor, announced games for the Lake Elsinore Storm when Urso was working his way through the Los Angeles Angels minor league system. Maldonado and Martinez became best friends as they grew up and continue to talk almost daily. Urso said he knew Martinez wouldn’t recommend him just anyone.

“They ended up talking and hit if off,” Martinez said. “I’m just happy I was in a position to help. I always knew he was a great coach; he just needed his shot.”

Any doubts about the hire disappeared when he saw Maldonado begin to work with his players. Maldonado worked with hitters individually and instituted a popular Friday morning extra batting session known as the Breakfast Club.

“All the way to the last day of the World Series, they were talking about their Breakfast Club,” Urso said. “He doesn’t clone the hitters. He works with each kid’s strengths.”

Urso might have to start preparing for life without Maldonado on his team.

“This is pretty much the pinnacle of my career, but I’m still climbing the ladder,” Maldonado said. “My goal is to become a head baseball coach. That’s what I’ve been shooting for since I was at Barstow college.”

Although Urso’s not looking forward to the day when he loses him, he’s prepared to help Maldonado out in any way to reach his goal.

“My biggest goal would be for me to help him get a job as a head coach,” Urso said. “I would do everything I could to help him. He’s ready. It’s just a matter of time. If ... not if, it’s when I lose him.”