Player Profile

#4 Joe Nuanez

Joe Nuanez is one of three Nuanez brothers that play for the PrimeTime Fastpitch team.  Joe is a few months shy of 36, and has been married to his wife Marcy for five years. They now have two children, Orlando (3) and baby daughter, Nalia, born February 23, 2006.

 

Joe, like the rest of us, has played ball his whole life.  Joe is one of those rare players who can play just about any position on the field. Growing up the son of a coach, Joe learned to catch at an early age, but played infield the majority of this little league and pony league career. When Joe was a sophomore, the Varsity team did not have anyone who could catch, so Joe volunteered and was a starter for three years.  Joe still holds the school record - yep, you guessed it, Oceanside High School - for throw outs in a game.  Joe went on to play two seasons at Mira Costa Junior College.

 

Joe ended up getting his teaching degree and is now a history teacher at - yep, you guessed it, Oceanside High School.  Joe, along with our dad Jerry, also coaches the Girl’s Varsity softball team.  They have actually coached the team now for 5 or 6 years.

 

Although Joe enjoys catching, he also loves to play other positions.  Early in Joe’s fastpitch career, he played Short Stop, and in a tournament in Las Vegas, where we took 1st place while playing with Ruben’s Auto Body of Oceanside, Joe earned the Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive play.  Joe can also play the outfield, where he can show off his strong arm at another position besides catching.  When Joe is catching, you better be either VERY fast, or cheat and leave early to avoid him throwing you out from his knees.  This is something he has mastered after watching Benito Santiago do it for several years as a Padre.

 

On the offensive side, Joe possesses a very steady bat, and rarely strikes out. Joe also has very good bat control and can pretty much put the ball where he wants on a hit and run situation.  Joe is also a very good bunter.  If there is one downfall to Joe’s offensive side, it is his lack of power. Unfortunately, he has NEVER had the opportunity to “trot” around the bases in a fastpitch game.  Back when we all played for the Bronco team, run by Joe Fernandez and Joey Mendoza, we went to play in a National Qualifier in Sacramento.  Needless to say, we didn’t do very well.  In our last game, facing elimination and losing badly in our final game, Joe came to the plate pissed off.  Joe unleashed his fury on the ball and drove it to the gap, and finally started into his “trot” when the ball hit the top of the portable fence and bounced back into the field of play.  Sad story, isn’t it?

 

Hopefully, this season, we can spell Joe a little bit from behind the plate as his knees are not what they used to be. In the past, there have been MANY tournaments where Joe has caught up to 7 games on a weekend…. 49 innings - ouch!

 

Joe also seems to have a good rapport with all of our pitchers except his older brother.  For some reason he seems to get all pissed off when I don’t hit my spots like DANNY does.  Man, it’s a wonder how we have all played together for so long without killing each other!