VERMONT EXPOS Hlebovy looking forward to future

The Campbell graduate could return home for a July series with the Scrappers.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Gus Hlebovy likes having the game placed upon his shoulders.
So maybe he won't mind carrying the city of Campbell on his back as a professional baseball player in the New York-Penn League this summer.
Hlebovy, a 2000 Campbell Memorial High graduate, was assigned to pitch for the Vermont Expos, Class A short-season affiliate of the Montreal Expos.
If all goes as planned, Hlebovy will return to his roots July 5-7 when Vermont visits the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field in Niles.
Homecoming
"I know all of Campbell is going to be there," said Hlebovy, who played under coach Wayne Zetts with the Red Devils.
"I'm excited to come back home and play in front of my family."
Hlebovy, 21, hasn't played in the area since his days pitching for Kent State University.
The Expos selected him as a junior in the 22nd round of last year's amateur draft.
"This is more or less my job," he said. "I'm getting paid to play the game."
The Expos assigned Hlebovy to their Gulf Coast League team in Melbourne, Fla., last year. There, he quickly learned about the pro game.
"There's nobody to get on your [butt] all the time," Hlebovy said. "You have to do things on your own.
"In college and high school, you had somebody pushing you all the time," he added.
"Now, it's my career. It's my life. They expect me to go out and do what I need to get done."
Team's role
Lately, that's been pitching out of the closer's role, something Hlebovy relishes and plans to do at Vermont.
"That's my favorite position to pitch in. I like having the game on my shoulders, win or lose," he said. "I want to be in control of the game at some point. It's a great adrenaline rush."
Hlebovy feels minor league pitchers, specifically at the lower levels, have the advantage over batters who are adjusting from aluminum to wooden bats.
He also notices a lot of "free swingers" among the batters.
"It's all about keeping the hitters off balance," said Hlebovy, who throws a fastball, curveball, changeup and slider.
"You just have to become more consistent with your pitches and hit your spots. You can't rely on just one pitch."
Before joining players at Vermont, Hlebovy had been working out in extended spring training in Melbourne, where temperatures are uncomfortably hot and exhibition games, like those in the Gulf Coast League, are unknown to fans.
"Since I left college, I haven't had that adrenaline rush" from playing in front of a crowd, Hlebovy said.
Passion
A lot of Hlebovy's motivation stems from disproving critics who knocked his size (5-foot-101/2, 170 pounds) and his ability.
With confidence in himself and a support staff around him that has included his parents, grandparents and coaches, Hlebovy feels as if he can overcome any obstacle.
"People always told me I was too small for this or I wasn't good enough," he said. "That's what I use. It gives me something that lights a fire."
Now, he's working to make his dream a reality.
"There hasn't been a day that it hasn't crossed my mind," he said of reaching the big leagues. "I've got my foot in the door. I'm one step closer."
richesson@vindy.com