Cota Pirates’ unsung leader

Baseball coaches generally concede that chemistry can’t be orchestrated and leaders can not be made. So it is that the man at the center of the Orange Coast College baseball team is, most often, off to the side.

Third-year sophomore backup catcher Gabe Cota has one run batted in and two hits this season. But that is secondary to the fact that he has 30 loyal subjects on the OCC roster, teammates who universally consider him the captain of the Pirates.

“When there’s something to say, Gabe says it,” sophomore pitching ace Brandon Dixon said. “And when we bring it up as a team, it’s around Gabe.”

Cota will “take the field,” perhaps, for the last time as a Pirate, today at 10 a.m. in an elimination game of the Southern California Super Regional against Riverside (29-18).

But just like 43 of the Pirates’ 48 games this season, taking the field is a figurative term for Cota.

“I’m definitely a role guy,” said Cota, who at 5-foot-5, 200 pounds, appears nearly as wide as he is tall in full catcher’s gear. “But even though I don’t get in the game a lot, the guys let me know I’m a part of the team, just like everyone else.”

Cota is, most agree, very little like his teammates, most of whom could not muster the slightest enthusiasm for occasionally warming up pitchers between innings and catching in the bullpen whenever needed.

“I think this team is very blessed to have Gabe,” said OCC pitcher Ryan Rosenhahn, who openly admires Cota’s willingness to give whatever is needed.

“He is so selfless. He gives himself up totally for the team. Even though his role isn’t hitting or playing, he’s all about doing whatever he can, to the fullest of his ability, to help the team. And he absolutely does that. I’ve seen him on the worst days that he has had and he still looks like the happiest person. He just has absolute joy doing what he does and it’s awesome. It’s really encouraging. He has taught me a lot this year about being joyful.”

Cota experiences joy, he said, every day at the ballpark, a routine he plans to continue as a walk-on bullpen catcher at UC Santa Barbara.

A former four-year varsity player at Irvine High, a starter his last three seasons there, Cota had planned to give up baseball and enroll at UC Riverside.

“But I never wanted to give up the dream,” he said. “I wanted to keep playing. So, I came here and told [Coach John Altobelli], I would do anything he asked to be a part of the team.”

Altobelli, recognizing Cota’s unique rapport with his teammates, had Cota dress and travel with the team, even during his redshirt season in 2006. It was Altobelli’s hope that Cota’s attitude would rub off on his teammates in the dugout.

“He’s never shy about getting the team going in the dugout,” Altobelli said. “And the guys love him to death.”

Cota’s dugout leadership includes organizing their “ones” theatrics, during which players wave their fingers, then remove and shake their caps, whenever an OCC hitter encounters a 1-1 count with one out.

But Cota’s leadership goes well beyond theatrics.

“When we need bringing up, Gabe has kind of been that guy for us,” Dixon said. “For us, it’s not the guy who is leading us in home runs, or wins, or even one of our four all-conference guys. For us, it’s Gabe and I think that’s awesome.”

Cota coaches freshman football at his alma mater and says he plans to one day put his psychology degree to use as a teacher and coach.

“When I’m in the dugout, I’m watching what our coaches are doing,” he said. “Even when I watch a game on TV, I’m more into the strategy than just watching the game.”

But it’s his fun-loving manner that his teammates enjoy, as much as they respect his knowledge of the game.

“Even off the field, he’s a great guy to talk to,” Rosenhahn said. “He’s just a good-natured person and an absolute leader. They say leaders are born and not made and he is definitely an example. To me, the biggest thing any leader can have is to be someone who serves and does not look to be served. Gabe absolutely does that.”

Cota has just 15 at-bats this season, but he was 22 for 75 last season as a freshman (.293), including a home run at Cuesta in the opening series of the season.

“That was awesome,” Cota recalled of his only collegiate dinger. “I remember running toward third base and [third-base coach Altobelli] had a huge smile on his face. I was trying to keep my focus and then I glanced at the dugout and everyone was pumped up for me. I played more last year, but I understand my role this year. I try to work with the younger guys and help them out.”

Cota said before the Super Regional that he would be disappointed if OCC does not advance to the four-team state championship tournament that begins Friday in Fresno.

“I want to see us go all the way,” he said. “Like a lot of teams, we talk before the season about being able to dogpile on the bump. I want us to be able to do that and I want to be right in the middle of it. I want everyone on top of me.”

Whether the Pirates reach their ultimate goal or not, Cota has been at the bottom of all their success.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].