Making it look easy

By Jason Friedman, Space City Sports

The great ones always make it look so easy, don't they? You watch Barry Bonds blast shot after shot into McCovey Cove and the thing that strikes you is how effortless he makes it all seem. Of course, the same can be said about athletes past and present such as Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Barry Sanders. They are forever linked not just by the greatness they have achieved, but also for the grace and relative ease that defined their style of play. They amaze us not so much by their incredible records and statistics, but by their otherworldly ability to make the impossible appear so simple, so effortless. 

 Pop in an old highlight film and you'll see Gale Sayers gliding through a defense like a gazelle across the Serengeti. Or maybe you have a soft spot for that sweet swing of Ken Griffey Jr. Whatever your preference, the talent and natural ability these stars possess is undeniable. But maybe, just maybe there's something you don't see on the screen in front of you. The fact is all of the physical gifts in the world don't mean anything without a tremendous amount of hard work thrown into the mix as well. Perhaps too often we watch these players with the thought that they were simply the lucky ones, destined to be great from the moment they stepped on the field. 

 Okay, so Kingwood's Lance Pendleton isn't Barry Bonds or Junior Griffey. But there is no arguing his status among Houston's high school baseball elite. Checkout these numbers -a gaudy .513 batting average, 33 RBI's and a city- leading 10 home runs. Throw in the fact that he also is the Mustangs' staff ace and leading base stealer and it quickly becomes obvious that in baseball terms, Lance is one of those rare; always coveted five-tool players. Then you hear thatPendleton was named MVP of his first tee-ball team when he was five years old and it becomes difficult not to label him a gifted player who simply had everything handed to him on a silver platter. 

 So let's dispel that notion right off the bat (no pun intended). When you speak to Lance, you're not going to hear about how the game always came easily to him. Instead be prepared to listen to this young man preach on the benefits of hard work and commitment. And he must be on to something since it's the first thing coach David Denny mentions as well.

 "Lance is just a baseball junkie,” Denny says. "We have three or four guys who are always the first to arrive and last to leave the field and Lance is always there. He doesn't talk a lot, but in practice he always forces everyone to go game speed."

 That work ethic has been put to the test the last two years as Pendleton has made the transition from everyday outfielder to starting pitcher. While Lance still plays center field on days when he's not on the mound, he loves to pitch and fine-tuning the art has meant a great deal of tireless dedication. 

 "I didn't really start pitching until I was 12 and it's taken a lot of hard work to get better," says Pendleton. And the past year and a half, I have spent a tremendous amount of time and work focusing on my control and location." It didn't take too long to start seeing some results. During his junior year, Lance saw some action out of the bullpen and come playoff time, the coaches noticed Pendleton taking his game to a new level. He has used that success as a springboard this year, sporting a 6-1 record and only giving up an average of two runs a game. Take into account what Lance has done at the plate and it's hard to imagine a player being more valuable to his team.  

And as a senior, Pendleton also recognizes his responsibility to provide strong leadership on and off the field.

 “To have a successful team you need a leader," he says. "I'm not the type of guy to ye11 and talk a lot, but I try to lead. By example and 1 want to do my best to help out this team any way I can. If that means straightening out some younger guys who are maybe goofing off in practice when they shouldn't be, then it's my responsibility to make sure we're all on the same page and no one gets in trouble."

 Truth is, there isn't a whole lot not to like about Lance Pendleton. He's extremely polite and his passion for the game is contagious. Coach Denny sums it up best. 

"Lance is just your stereotypical good kid He's outgoing, a good student and he related to adults as well as the younger kids. Let me put it this way. I have youngsters at home and would love my kids to grow up to be the person Lance has become"

 As for the future, Pendleton and the Mustangs are focused on making some noise in the playoffs. They finished second behind Humble in district 22-5A and (like every other team in Texas) are shooting for a trip to Austin for the state championship. After that, who knows? Lance has signed on to play for San Jacinto Junior College in the fall but is waiting to see where he might end up in this year's major league baseball draft.

 Hard to believe, but he says he's content with whatever scenario plays itself out.

 Then again, maybe it's not so hard to believe after all. You get the feeling Lance will find success no matter the road he travels.

 It probably won't be smooth sailing, although it may look that way sometimes. Just don't be fooled because now you know better. The great ones only make it look so easy, because they work so hard