"It's never been better," he says. "I feel I can do the job behind the plate. Since I've been here, I've never felt this good. Whoever's looking better's going to play."

It's likely that they'll both play. DePalo, an all-state player out of Natick, was considered a prize recruit, and he has looked strong in practice.

"He'll be able to step right in and play at this level," Weller says.

Maspons saw action as a designated hitter last year, and Nahigian is strongly considering using the catcher who doesn't field at DH. The problem is that such a move makes it impossible to change catchers without forcing the pitcher to bat. But both Maspons and DePalo have bats that Nahigian can't afford to leave out of the line-up.

Maspons would like to catch every big game, just as Martelli did last year. Like all EIBL teams, Harvard plays back-to-back doubleheaders, and Martelli's legs took a beating from catching four games in one weekend. "Physically, I know I could do it," Maspons says, explaining that he played five or six games a week over the summer.

Both Maspons and DePalo will hit near the middle of the line-up.

Infield: Next to pitching, firstbase is probably the least firm spot. Junior first baseman Chris Schindler (.218) pulled a hamstring and is questionable for the Florida trip. He'll play against righthanders when the team begins its Northern season. Third baseman Elliott Rivera (.300) may move to first if he can't shake tendonitis in his throwing arm. Sophomore Bob Kay could see action at first, second, short or third. In addition, he's fast enough to pinch run.

Senior Gaylord Lyman (.207) will take care of second. The Kanerohe, Hawaii native--Nicknamed Pineapple--fields impeccably, but he has struggled with the bat. The key to an offensive turnaround could be a good start down South. "The past three years I've been struggling down in Florida," he says. "I'm looking for a change."

Freshman Jay Nugent will back up Lyman.

After a year of arm troubles, junior Tony DiCesare (2.18) returns to shortstop. "Koots" saw action at second last year. As a freshman, he did an excellent defensive job at short, and Nahigian is counting on him to come through again.

"It's pretty much all healed up," DiCesare says. "It's nothing like it was last year. I'm really excited about it." DiCesare worked his arm in the fall as quarterback of the j.v. football team.

Together DiCesare and Lyman should provide excellent defense up the middle Defense will be especially important this year with run production expected to be down and some young pitchers forced to enter into the fray.

Rivera did a great job at the hot corner last year, but he overworked his arm. After Harvard placed second out of four teams at the NCAA Northeast Regional last year. Rivera went straight to summer league play. Then tendonitis flared up.

"At one point during the summer I couldn't lift my arm over my head." Rivers says. "Right now I'm throwing 80 percent. By the time the season starts it should be 100 percent. I'd like to stay at third base," he adds.

The injury didn't hurt Rivera's hitting. He led last year's team in sacrifices (19) and steals (six) and leads returning players in hits (34) and homers tied with Maspons and Vierra at (four). He batted third over the summer and will begin this year at clean-up.