THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230467
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Call them brothers in arms.
Brett, Whitney and Grayson Craun have probably pitched in more games - 35 - than any group of siblings in Hampton Roads this spring.
That all three ended up playing the same position - for different teams at different levels - is a coincidence, they say.
Brett, a sophomore at Division I William and Mary, was born to the mound. Serious, smart and goal-driven, he holds nearly all of the pitching records at Nansemond River High School.
Whitney, a freshman at Division III Christopher Newport, took the opposite approach. Carefree and motivated, he considered himself an outfielder - a hitter, really - until this year.
Grayson, a senior at Nansemond River and the only lefthander, played shortstop in T-Ball and once caught Whitney in a minor league game before settling in on the mound. His attitude was somewhere between Brett's and Whitney's until last season.
The Crauns are only 31 months apart in age. But they never appeared together in a baseball game until American Legion season, unless you count the home run derby contests growing up in Bennett's Harbor.
``There was a hill in our side yard and just past that was our neighbor's white picket fence,'' Grayson said. ``If you hit it over the fence it was a home run.''
Sounds simple enough until you factor in sibling rivalries.
``The loser would always argue that he wasn't being pitched fairly,'' Grayson said. ``We were very competitive. We hated to lose and made up excuses.''
The need for excuses diminished as they grew older. Their combined record at Nansemond River is 41-9.
Brett was 24-6 with four of the losses coming in the region and state playoffs. Whitney was 2-3. Grayson is 15-0.
Whitney was the victim in a quality numbers game. A year ahead of him were Brett and Brian Elms, who plays at Radford. In his class was Jason Taylor, the top starter at Shenandoah College this spring. Immediately behind him was Grayson.
``People used to say he had the best arm,'' Brett said of Whitney. ``But he grew up in the hardest position, after me and before the lefthander.''
Whitney received the least recruiting interest and had already enrolled at CNU when Captains coach Curt Long inquired about him.
``I always felt he had the potential to throw hard, but his control was a source of inconsistency,'' Long said. ``Whitney grew up in the shadow of his brothers, but now he is able to blaze his own trail.''
Whitney began the season in the bullpen, but emerged as the team's most consistent starter. He finished 2-3 on a team that was 12-27 and his 4.18 ERA was nearly two runs lower than the team's.
Brett set the standard for his brothers - and every other pitcher at Nansemond River.
``He always taught me that pitching was a big mental game,'' Grayson said. ``He knew the hitters and he preached location.''
The brothers still share tips; a few weeks ago Grayson visited Brett in Williamsburg for a refresher course in arm mechanics.
Grayson would like to return the favor. For one of the first times in his career, Brett has struggled this spring.
He is 1-6 and has allowed 94 baserunners in 51 1/3 innings.
``I don't know how to explain it,'' said Brett. ``I don't feel like I've lost anything. But in key situations, instead of making good pitches, it doesn't work out.''
He's also been snake-bitten. His 4.56 ERA is the lowest on the team.
The Craun family Cy Young winner this season is Grayson. He is 3-0 with a no-hitter, a one-hitter and a four-hitter. He has aroused the interest of Old Dominion and Virginia Commonwealth, among others.
Grayson, also the biggest brother at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, is primarily a fastball pitcher.
``I use it to set up hitters and set down hitters,'' he said.
Nansemond River coach Phil Braswell thinks Grayson could wind up being the best pitcher in the family.
``He's lefthanded; that gives him a little more value,'' Braswell said. ``And he's just started to learn a change-up that runs and falls off the table.''
Whichever Craun ends up with the best numbers or the longest career, he can count on the support of the others.
``My brothers are my best friends and it gives me pride seeing them play and do well,'' Whitney said. ``Even if we didn't play baseball, I'd feel the same way.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos COURTESY OF WILLIAM AND MARY
Brett Craun set the standard at Nansemond River but is struggling
this year at William and Mary.
Grayson Craun is 15-0 in high school and has a no-hitter and a
one-hitter this season.
Whitney Craun has become a consistent starter at Christopher
Newport.
by CNB