Veteran Bearcats infielder/outfielder brings leadership to young squad
TRURO Darson Murphy has a theory as to why he was able to succeed at the plate this season in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League.
“I tell the boys, pitchers just think I’m the old guy and they throw it right down the tube for me,” Murphy said with a hearty laugh and tongue firmly planted in cheek. “They make it easy for me.”
Kidding aside, Murphy’s staggering offensive numbers this season weren’t the result of belthigh fastballs, but instead a product of his approach at the dish. The Truro Bearcats outfielder/second baseman won the NSSBL batting crown, leading the league in both batting average (.424) and hits (50). He was second in runs scored (33).
“He’s a scrappy hitter, he battles, he squares it up, he can bunt, he can do pretty much anything; he’s a full-out gamer,” said teammate and Bearcats cocoach John Chapman.
Murphy grew up in Margaree, Cape Breton, and played fastpitch softball into his late teens. He switched to baseball when he was 18 and adapted to the hitting aspect of the game fairly quickly. Darson Murphy batted leadoff this season for the Truro Bearcats and led the NSSBL in average and hits. He was also second in runs scored.
“I just found I was able to wait for the ball a lot longer,” he said. “Even when I got up to this level some guys threw really hard but I just found, playing softball all my life, being able to catch up to the ball was a little easier. You just had a lot more time.”
Murphy moved to Truro in 1998 to attend community college. When he finished his education, he stayed in the area and now calls Bible Hill home. He
works for Colchester Residential Services Society.
At age 39, Murphy is considered an elder statesman among a group of young players that dot the Bearcats roster. With that, comes leadership responsibilities, which he has provided in spades, said Chapman.
“He’s our leader. When he goes, we all go. He’s done a lot this year and he’s shown his true leadership; a lot of guys follow his lead.”
Murphy, a NSSBL all-star outfielder this season, became the sixth Bearcats player to win the batting title, following in the footsteps of Chapman (2014), Craig Higgins (2002, 2006), Winston Brown (2003), Kevin Matheson (2000) and fellow Cape Bretoner Bruce Joshua (1992).
“It feels pretty good actually, especially at this age,” he said. “I know I can play at this level; it’s just trying to stay consistent from the first game to the last game of the year.
“It’s just good to be able to put your name with those guys and say that you’ve been there too.”
Murphy and his teammates will try to stave off elimination tonight in their best-of-seven league championship series against the Dartmouth Moosehead Dry.
The teams meet at Beazley Field in Dartmouth at 7:30 p.m. The Moosehead Dry lead the series 3-1.
Game 6, if necessary, will be played Thursday in Truro (TAAC Grounds, 7:30 p.m.).
“He’s our leader. When he goes, we all go. He’s done a lot this year and he’s shown his true leadership; a lot of guys follow his lead.” John Chapman