Kaleb Short’s on-base streak was too compelling not to discuss.
Even if doing so ran counter to River Forest coach Michael Kosinski’s instincts, part of baseball’s so-called unwritten rules.
“It was awesome,” Kosinski said. “I can’t believe he actually did that. We talked about it one night. Usually I wouldn’t talk about it because I didn’t want to jinx him. But it was so cool.
“I don’t know when it will happen again.”
Short, a 6-foot junior, reached base in a program-record 17 straight plate appearances, smashing the previous record of 10 set by Steve Stefanovich in 1988 and matched by Richie Otero in 1993.
The final tally? Short had nine hits, seven walks and one hit-by-pitch before he grounded out to third base in his second at-bat during a game against Hanover Central on April 10.
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“I tried not to think about it,” he said. “I try to have a simple approach at the plate. If I’m seeing slower pitching, I’m trying to think opposite field so I’m not early on everything. Even after games and practices, just getting extra swings in with the team.
“It meant a lot. I worked hard in the offseason with my team, and the hard work’s been paying off.”
Indeed, Short has been posting big numbers. He is hitting .640 with three doubles, a program-record seven triples, 11 RBIs, a team-high 20 runs scored and eight stolen bases. He has drawn 10 walks and struck out only twice.
Short, typically the Ingots’ shortstop and No. 1 pitcher but limited primarily to first base as he deals with a lat issue, also has set a program record with 11 career triples, besting the previous mark of eight.
“Just running hard out of the box, not looking at the ball when I hit it and just trusting my speed around the bases,” Short said. “Just busting my butt.”
Short started at shortstop as both a freshman and sophomore, hitting team highs of .453 and .469, respectively, and was River Forest’s top pitcher last season. But he has made only two appearances on the mound this season after he “felt a pop” in his lat during a bullpen session a week before it began.
“If he was healthy, he’s our ace — by far,” Kosinski said.
Not having Short at shortstop also has been an adjustment for both Kosinski, who had grown accustomed to the comfort of having his sure-handed player at that position, and Short, who hadn’t played a ton of first base.
“I’m just trying to be on the field, trying to help my team as much as possible,” Short said. “That’s really it. I’m trying to be a team player along those lines.
“Playing with the guys is great over at RF. Great atmosphere, and we get a lot of work in, offseason and regular season. We have some hardworking guys over here.”
That includes Short, who has been the top wide receiver and cornerback for the Ingots’ football team and played quarterback after starter Ayden Silver suffered an injury last season. Short is expected to take over at quarterback next season.
“We want to change our offense to more of a throwing offense, so I have a pretty good arm,” Short said.
Kosinski jokingly said, “Not right now,” before Short said, “I’ll be healthy.”
The Ingots hope Short will be returning to the mound consistently sooner rather than later, with Greater South Shore Conference games next month against Whiting and Wheeler among the key targets.
Short played basketball in his first two years at River Forest, splitting time between the varsity and junior varsity teams as a sophomore. But he didn’t play this past season in order to focus on his baseball preparation.
Short’s future lies in that sport, and he has been generating college interest. He was scheduled to depart Friday for a visit to Millersville, a Division II university in Pennsylvania.
“He has all the potential,” Kosinski said.
Senior corner infielder Xavier Dominguez, a tri-captain along with Short and senior outfielder Zack McAllister, doesn’t need to be convinced of that.
“That kid, he’s a ballplayer, for sure,” Dominguez said about Short. “He’s always doing something good, on and off the field. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s just showing every game what he can do. He’s a stud.”
Kosinski, a 2009 River Forest graduate who is in his ninth season as coach after four as an assistant, holds Short in high regard.
“He’s earned everything he’s doing,” Kosinski said. “It’s well-deserved. You can’t ask for a better kid to do what he’s doing this year and accomplished what he has.”