It’s surprising how much detective work goes into Tom Runnells’ job.

Much of the time the Sky Sox manager seems like a character in a mystery novel, piecing together clues from all the sources he can find while trying to compile a scouting report.

“There are an awful lot of eyes out there watching these guys,” Runnells said. “We have a pretty good idea. If we don’t pitch them properly or they do things to us, shame on us.”

To gain information on opponents – especially early in the season when rosters include numerous players who never have played at the Triple-A level – Runnells employs a team of investigators.

He uses the Rockies’ scouting department in Denver. He talks to his staff and other coaches in the organization.Then, to archive even more data, he’ll dispatch his pitchers to the press box or stands to monitor the radar gun and track opposing pitchers.

But his greatest resource is his own clubhouse.

“That’s the thing about baseball, it’s such a small world,” pitcher Greg Reynolds said. “You might have played with a guy in college and a lot of things are pretty much the same. So you can draw from years ago.”

Reynolds’ catcher in college was John Hester, who now plays for the Reno Aces. So Reynolds passed on what he knew before the teams met during the Sky Sox’s opening homestand.

“It’s an advantage for us, but we know they’re doing the same thing,” said pitcher Joel Peralta, who has grown used to life in the major leagues, where advance scouts take notes and extensive video is collected to provide a thorough look at each team.

“I honestly like it better this way,” said catcher Sal Fasano, who has had several stints in the majors since being drafted in 1993. “You rely too much on the scouting report you’re just going to fail because so many guys just can’t do it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here.

“Probably the most important thing in the minor leagues is learning yourself. You don’t know yourself, it doesn’t matter what the scouting report is. If a guy can’t hit his spots, what does it matter?”

Still, Fasano and the team’s other two catchers – Edwin Bellorin and Paul Phillips – will often sit down with pitchers before games to discuss the tendencies of the opposing lineup.

“At this point of the year, it’s mostly pitching to your strengths,” Reynolds said. “But if your strengths aren’t getting guys out, then you’ve got to figure out the other guys’ weaknesses.”

And that’s where Runnells and his team of detectives take over.

“If I don’t know, if (hitting coach Rene Lachemann) doesn’t know, if (pitching coach Chuck Kniffin) doesn’t know, we’ll make a phone call and we’ll find out,” Runnells said.

Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells and his staff piece together scouting reports from several different sources. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE