As always, I want to thank all of you for your comments on my previous post about Steven going “muddin,” I mean running. I like Brady’s comment, “It takes wisdom to make those decisions, I think.” Those kind of decisions as a guy I used to coach with in Little League would say, “You can go from “hero” to “zero” just like that.” Speaking of “wise” decisions I think one was made last night at Steven’s game.
When Steven was a Freshman he pitched quite a bit. There was one doubleheader he had in which he relieved in both games. I don’t know how smart that was but it did say something of his value as a pitcher.
When he made the Varsity as a Sophomore his pitching was very limited. In the beginning of last year’s Junior season he was told he would be one of the main pitchers and early on he pitched quite a bit holding on to the team’s lowest ERA as in “Earned Run Average.” As the season progressed for some reason his frequency of pitching decreased and came to a stop.
After going a month without seeing any time on the “bump,” he was brought in against one of the arguably best hitting teams in the Space (threw that back in for you Steve) Coast, Eau Gallie. Our starter had given up 8 hits, a number of walks, and 6 runs in 2 innings of work.
Steven pitched 2 innings striking out 4 and giving up no hits with no walks. Mysteriously he was taken out after showing no signs of fatigue. There were still about 10 games left in the season and yet it would be the last time he would see the mound for the rest of last season. In fact, in a fit of frustration and wanting to help our team out as we slumped at the end of the season, he asked the Head Coach just before the playoffs if he could pitch because he felt he could help the team. Steven told me the Coach looked at him and said the following words, “You’re not a pitcher!”
Fast forward to last night’s game against Rockledge. Steven started in Left-field last night and as the pattern has been for Fall Ball, the starters were pulled in the 4th to allow the under-classman a chance to play and show their stuff. The first 2 pitchers had giving up 6 runs and 11 walks “helping” us to a 0 to 6 deficit.
We have a new Head Coach this year that is a former All-American pitcher from UCF and pitched at the AAA Level in the Yankees Organization. Steven said in a fit of frustration the Head Coach looked in the dugout and said, “Is there a f-*@#$**!! (censored by the Blog Master) pitcher in here who can throw strikes!!?” Steven said he raised his hand and said, “I can Coach.” The response from the “NEW” Head Coach, “Get in the bull-pen S-Walk.”
Long story short, Steven threw the final 3 innings striking out 4 with no walks and no runs. The new Head Coach congratulated him on his pitching and said, “You’re going to be doing a lot of “that” this year.”
Amazing what someone with knowledge can observe. BTW – the Dad with the Juggs Radar gun clocked one of his fastballs at 88! That’s the fastest he’s ever thrown.
Well, that’s all from the State where we play baseball in the Fall. The next post will be about the challenges of churches ministering to folks with special needs.
: 2:18 PM 
