The Wind Surge return home after a long two weeks in the furnace of Arkansas. A one week reprieve in Wichita before heading on the road for two more weeks.
This week we were home against a Midland team that I was familiar with from the southern division of the AA-Central. I made my 2021 season debut against the Rockhounds and was looking forward to pitching against them.
I got in there immediately on Tuesday with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. After back to back singles, I went strikeout and then double play. Ideally I’d come into the game and leave all runners stranded, but as we know, the hitters get paid to play as well. I went back out in the 6-5 game and my catcher Roy, a former foe in indy ball last year, threw out a potential runner to end the inning.
As you can see, I was excited. In the moment I forget I do some of this stuff and it’s nice to see the camera is always watching. The mannerisms and the in between pitch stuff is always interesting to me and how conscious guys are of what they are doing.
The next time I pitched it didn’t go as well for the team, but I felt fine. It was another situation with runners on base that this time they scored and then I went back out for my first extra innings appearance. I was nervous with the guy on second to start the inning but after a strikeout I was ready to rock. It didn’t work out in the end, and we lost 13-12 but hey it happens.
I was having a conversation with a fellow bullpen mate about how it is wild how much can change in our pitching from each day. Tuesday I felt like I could pitch in the MLB and then Thursday it wasn’t coming out quite as well. Then my mind wonders okay have I been sleeping enough, am I taking care of my nutrition between outings, am I working out to promote recovery? All this goes through my mind because at this juncture in the career I don’t have a lot of leeway. I know my role but also I know that I’m knocking on the door if I keep pitching well.
The week ended up 5-1 for the Wind Surge with the one loss being my game in extras. We also won two games on walk offs of our own, including a runner tagging from second with the bases loaded to score on a deep sac fly. That was exciting stuff. I don’t remember the last time I was jumping for joy in a bullpen.
That’s part of what has been different for me this year. Instead of too cool for school guy, I’m in the moment soak it like a sponge guy. This is my major leagues. It feels like Minnesota or any other big league team is miles away from my current location, but I treat everyone game here like I would treat a major league game because what other option is there? The moment you think you’re too good for a level or team is when things start spiraling. With 36 games left to go there is a sense of yes the finish line is coming, but also hey I should sprint through that line, not jog through it.
I am thankful to the Sod Poodles for sending along my baseball cards. Even though I was only there a month I enjoyed my stay and they didn’t have to get me a card. I’m hoping that Wichita does an end of the year order and I snag two different cards in one year that would be sweet.
The next road trip is onto my old stomping grounds of Tulsa and then Springfield. We are currently in first place in our side of the division and with 36 games left every game counts. If we make the playoffs it is a 5 game series and then I could get two rings in one season if Reno hangs onto their lead. The consensus is we are here we might as well win it.
The Tulsa / Wichita series is being called the propeller series I found out. There is a trophy and everything for the eventual winner of the 30 game series between ball clubs. 30 out of the 120 games this year against the same team. I wonder if the Covid scheduling of 6 games a week and only playing your half of the division will continue into 2022. We will know the conclusion of this series in a few weeks as we play Tulsa when we get back from Springfield.
Also, quick shout out to my guy Chris Nunn. We played together in 2011 for the Terre Haute Rex. Baseball is a small world. He passed through Wichita and is on his way to St. Paul.
The goal remains the same going forward. It is printed on the t shirts here. Throw nasty stuff in the zone. If I do that then good things will happen. With 36 and a few more potentially to go I am excited for the home stretch. This will be the latest I’ve played baseball as the season normally ends on Labor Day weekend. I appreciate everyone continuing to follow along and I look forward to posting about the road trip.
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