We’re 1-2, with our only win coming from a forfeit (we were probably going to win anyway). We lost a game 13-14 because of a wild pitch where the pitcher didn’t cover (we probably would have lost even if he covered) and we walked a ton of batters (the strike zone became absurdly small). Anyway, it’s not a great start - our pitching hasn’t been too good, but the hitting is absolutely dismal in a lot of spots. It’s not for lack of effort, either - lots of the guys show up to practice and work their asses off, we just can’t seem to tie it all together. I still have faith, though - our defense has been quite good in the last two games, and the pitching is coming around. I still think we’re in the top half of the division - we should be fine.
On a personal level, here’s what’s up with me:
- I am insanely stressed out with life. When you add this to my laziness, I have gained more weight and gotten more fat. Annoying. I am trying to reverse it, I promise.
- I still work out 4 days a week with wrist weights, throwing into a net, and dutifully taking batting practice. As a result, I can’t control my fastball, my changeup for some reason is no good anymore, and I sucked in my one official appearance with the Mustangs. It doesn’t help that I just figured out how I want to windup and deliver the ball to the plate using a pendulum swing motion and body action. I need to take it easier on my arm, as it’s rarely 100% for team practices (always good for games, though - I take enough time off).
- I’ve been hitting fairly well after developing a consistent stride and loading pattern. Against the Mudhens on Friday, I crushed a ball to left field that was ~310 feet on a line. I followed that up with a single, a walk, and an infield pop-up. I’ve been getting jammed too much inside, and that sucks. I need to fix that. Oh well - at least I have a consistent swing that I’m happy with. Can’t ask for too much more.
- My defense has been quite good, if I do say so myself. I have made all of the plays at me at second base, and though most were easy, I have had two pretty good range-y plays as well as a diving stop with the infield drawn in to save a run and pick up an out. I still airmail it from time to time on double plays, but with some help from my teammates on picking up the target, I think that’s largely fixed.
My physical fitness has never been worse. I weigh ~215 lbs right now and I wanted to start the year at 195, preferably at 190. Life has gotten in the way of actually paying attention to working out and eating right, but that’s not much of an excuse. Back to the grind.
Rob (our GM) has done a great job of managing the team despite some minor quarrels here and there. I realize I’m not one of the top four pitchers on the team with my wildness, and though I’m bummed I don’t pitch, there’s really no reason I deserve a regular spot either as a reliever or a starter. I’ll continue to work hard, and I’m sure Rob will work me in there as the situation calls for/allows it. I’m still batting cleanup, starting at second base, and playing every game, so what can I really complain about? Nothing.
Speaking of pitching, here’s what I’ve finally settled on throwing:
- Two-seam Maxline/Torque fastballs (I can control it much better and get decent sink on them)
- Pronation slider
- Four-seam Circle Change (which sucks right now and I have no idea why - it’s always been my best pitch)
The command/control of my fastball is pretty godawful right now, or at least it was in the game. In practice, it hasn’t been. My velocity has picked up a bunch, though, so that’s some good news. I really want to limit my walks to one every other inning, but at this point I’d take one per inning.
Last, but not least, here’s an animated image of what I do with wrist weights:
And my stats for the year so far (Mustangs Batting Stats - Pitching Stats)
Pitching: 2.2 IP, 3 BB, 3 K, 3 ER, 10.11 ERA 2.25 WHIP
Hitting: .375/.500/.500 , 8 AB - 1 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 2b
Next game is Sunday at Steve Cox Field - the newly-remodeled White Center Park - versus the revamped Missions. I am looking forward to it. Well, I always look forward to playing baseball, of course.
Oh, and in the other amateur league I play in (Seattle League; my team is Nandemoya), there’s a HS pitcher from Japan named Hirosei who is the best pitcher in the league. He throws a fastball/slider/forkball combination, and he has pretty good velocity (usually around 82-84). However, this year, he has gained a ton more on his fastball, and though his secondary pitches lag behind, I swear to god he was touching 90 for 2-3 pitches the last time I saw him. It was unbelievable.
