Take a pretty good college baseball team and subtract the guts of the League's best infield, the League's leading hitter, a player now working in the N.Y. Giants farm system, and a starting pitcher. The result is some thing resembling the 1963 Harvard squad.

But don't panic. Despite the loss of several players who were essential to the Crimson's surprising dash for the Eastern pennant, coach Norm Shepard might produce another contender.

While Harvard may not sustain the incredible .277 batting average that allowed it to smash just about everyone last year, there should be enough residual plate power to support a potentially superb pitching staff.

Last year at this time Paul Del Rossi was an unknown sophomore who some people thought might win a ball game or two. He returns this Spring with the best record of any pitcher in Crimson history (10-1, 1.40 ERA) and a central figure in Shepard's planning.

Not a fireball hurler, lefty Del Rossi teases his opponents with twisters, change-ups and curves. His pick-off motion surpasses that of many major leaguers.

Second man in the rotation will probably be Dick Garibaldi, who developed rapidly towards the end of last season, gaining a 5-1 mark. Garibaldi's main weakness is lack of variety, but with improved finesse he could become nearly as reliable as Del Rossi.

Bill Guzzetti, a fast-baller who played JV ball most of last year, and Tom Rucker, a sophomore, are being considered for the third slot, Guzzetti has the speed to collect strikeouts, but like Garibaldi, could use a wider assortment of pitches.

Rucker is a possible gift from God. During his junior year in high school in Oklahoma he so impressed the St. Louis Cardinals that they reportedly offered him a substantial bonus. The following fall, however, he injured his shoulder in a football game and hasn't been able to throw hard since.

Last year he compiled an adequate 3-1 record on the freshman team, but lacked the brilliance that distinguished his earlier efforts. If his arm finally responds this season, he and Del Rossi could easily provide the Crimson with 18 wins. But that's big if.

While this pitching talent is encouraging, Shepard is a bit worried about who will catch the masterful deliveries. Dick Diehl, who caught last year, wrenched his knee and ankle in a skiing accident in January. He is just beginning to walk without pain; squatting behind the plate for nine innings is considerably more difficult and he may not be up to it for some time.

Much hope, therefore, is being placed in Gary Miller, a sophomore who worked behind the plate for the freshman team last year. In addition to doing a fine defensive job, he maintained a .380 average. That mark is impressive enough to tempt Shepard to place Miller else where on the field should Diehl fully recover.

Last year's infield averaged about .340 at the plate and performed splendidly on defense. Only one man from that remarkable group--second baseman Terry Bartolet--is back.

Bartolet is clearly one of the best men on the team. He led the squad in hitting (.374). in hits (34), and was third in RBIs (16). While not a feast man, he more than adequately covered the territory around the second sack.

If second is safe, down at third Shepard has real problems. It will be hard to replace tiny Mike Drummey, who led the Eastern League with an active .471 bat. Several boys are in the running, but lee Sargeant seems to be leading the race for the job. Sargeant has a powerful cross-diamond throw, and could develop into a steady single producer at the plate.

Tom Bilodeau presently appears to have the task of succeeding Dave Morse at shortstop. (Morse, the team's captain last year, is now with Class A El Paso, a Giant farm club.) Bilodeau hit .390 for the freshman last season, kept in shape by lettering in football this Fall. He has the speed and fielding skills for the job, but may need some seasoning before double plays are a certainty.