Dougherty pitcher
is well-armed

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Last year, when the Cardinal Dougherty High School junior varsity baseball program folded, most of the Cardinal rookies decided to postpone their baseball plans until they had a better chance to make the varsity squad as upperclassmen.
But Joe Halbherr couldn’t wait.
He was ready to play now.
So when coach Steve Carr gave the newcomers an opportunity to stay and take a swing at the varsity level, Halbherr was up for the challenge.
"He was one of the few who stuck around last season," said Carr, who debuted as the Cardinal’s head coach last year. "I gave every one of those kids (from the JV program) an opportunity to stay. He was the one who came to every game last year. He impressed me. He has the right attitude for a young athlete."
Halbherr’s persistence paid off. The then-freshman earned a few innings on the mound, showcasing his 70-mile-per-hour fastball.
However, despite his best efforts, the squad had a sub-par season, losing all 21 of its regular-season games in the Philadelphia Catholic League.
"We lost, but playing varsity is a cool experience," said Halbherr. "There’s nothing like this."
Now a new season is underway. And although Halbherr is still the youngest on the squad, the ambitious left-handed hurler is ready for another chance to throw the heat.
"I can play with anybody. Age doesn’t matter," said Halbherr, 15. "The seniors are really stepping it up. They’re really teaching me a lot. They taught me to take the game seriously. You have to give one-hundred percent, always. You can’t slack off."
Earlier this season, the Cardinals were able to end a two-year losing streak by defeating the Swenson Arts and Technology High School and the new Mariana Bracetti Academy during the preseason.
"In the preseason, they came up strong, hit the ball well, played great defense," said Carr. "They had the opportunity to go out there and play some ball and win some games and see what it feels like."
Opening day of the regular season, though, brought back some unpleasant memories.
Final score: Archbishop Wood, 18, Cardinal Dougherty, 3.
"Today it was like they walked out there and said, ‘Wow, this is a new game,’" a disappointed Carr said after the loss. "They just fell apart."
The Cardinals gave up 11 unearned runs and had six errors, giving the Vikings a victory in four innings.
"It was definitely a tough game," said Halbherr, who hit a single and walked against Wood. "I’m hoping that we just forget this game and play the way I know we can.
"In practice, we look great — much better than this. This is a joke," he said. "After we started losing bad, everybody just gave up. And we can’t do that. We have to always try and always get better."
After the Cardinals’ number-one pitcher, John Furphy, threw more than 100 pitches, Halbherr was beckoned to the mound. It was the top of the fourth and the Cardinals already were down by 16 runs. Halbherr gave up two more before the inning was halted after a strikeout and routine fly ball.
"He got a little baptism by fire today," said Carr. "He got a feeling of what it’s like. Even though the game got a little out of hand, he was still in there facing one of the top teams in the division."
But, according to Halbherr, it doesn’t make a difference who is batting. He plans to pitch the same.
"I’m pretty mellow on the mound," he said. "I pitch the same every game. I always pitch my hardest no matter who or where we’re playing. I always pitch the same game."
The Cardinals had a chance at redemption the following day, traveling to Wood for a game.
Second game . . . same outcome.
Just 24 hours after their initial loss, the Cardinals were whipped by 15 runs again, this time in a shutout against the Vikings.
"You can’t come out and play like this," said Carr. "You need to come out and attack the game."
The second time around, the 5-foot-11 Halbherr resumed his usual duties at first base.
"He’s going to contribute a lot this year, also on defense at first base," said Carr. "I love him because he guts it out. He’s going to be one heck of a player, and he still has three years left."
Halbherr, who first stepped onto a mound at age 8, proclaims his curveball as his greatest strength. He’s also proficient with a wicked slider and fastball.
"I throw about one-hundred pitches three days a week," said Halbherr. "I was kind of born into it. My dad used to pitch, and I’ve been doing it since I was younger."
Joe Sr., who graduated from Cardinal Dougherty in 1976, also was a solid hurler for his school’s varsity baseball squad. In fact, life at Cardinal Dougherty is pretty much a family affair for the Halbherrs.
"My whole family went there — my uncle, dad, brother, sister, cousins, everyone," said Joe Jr., who lives a few blocks from Cardinal Dougherty. "My little brother is in eighth grade. He’ll be here next year. And my little sister is in fifth grade. She’ll probably end up here too."
In the meantime, he is still picking up tips from his old man and trying to follow in his pitching footsteps.
"He definitely helps me," Halbherr said of his father. "Right now I’m practicing as much as I can so I can keep getting better."
And he’s having a ball in the process.
"Joey has a great outlook on the game," said Carr. "He doesn’t easily get discouraged. He comes in and whether he had a bad day or a great day, he’s got the same look on his face. He’s got the right attitude." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com