I have working to become a starter for the So Cal Dirtbags, and my good relief performances over the past couple weeks earned me the opportunity against the San Diego Gamers on June 25.
I had been working with my pitching coach this past week, and this game was the first chance I had to try some of the adjustments we had made. Well, it didn’t go so well, and I gave up a couple runs in the first inning. The adjustment was to speed up my fast ball, and while it definitely worked, I will need more repetition to improve on my location.
I ditched the delivery change for the second inning and didn’t give up any more runs. It felt good to pitch five straight innings and throw 74 pitches.
Skillshow, Inc. was contracted by Perfect Game to video all participants, and they can provide a recruiting video for an additional fee. Since we felt we had enough video, we passed on the $275 fee.
If you don't pay the fee, you get an email pointing you to their site where these three clips are posted:
I have been on a bit of tear since the high school season ended. I’m probably jinxing myself by this post, but I have to report on the good and bad results. And these have been good.
In two weeks I have pitched in four games or showcases, throwing nine innings with no earned runs.
On Friday morning, my dad and I left San Diego and made the 6 hour drive to Scottsdale, Arizona for the Prospect Wire West Coast Finals 18U (June 17-21, 2011). With the temperature now having climbed over 30 degrees, the So Cal Dirtbags met at the team hotel for our meeting at 5:15 pm to go over the tournament schedule, and then departed to the Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training facility for our first game at at 7 pm.
Because this was only my second game with the team, I knew my role was only going to be as a reliever. As the first game went on, our starting pitcher, Kiki Medina, pitched exceptionally well but our defense had a little trouble and we lost 5-3. The second game was at 4 pm on Saturday the 18th, where both offenses were really on point and both team’s run total exceeded double digits. Eventually, the tie breaker rule came into effect and we won the game.
As both games rolled on, I was kind of disappointed that I was not put in the game but this was just like my high school season and I knew I had to be patient and make sure I took advantage of all the opportunities I was given. The last game of the pool play was when I finally got my shot. As our starting pitcher, Robbie Schmit threw four innings of one run baseball, I was called upon in the 5th to finish the game off; and that’s exactly what I did.
I threw three innings, struck out six, let up one hit, no walks and no runs scored. We won that game 9-1, but our previous games kept us from advancing to the playoffs of the tournament. While I was disappointed for our team, I knew that I had completely seized my moment. Throughout this tournament, my patience was further tested, but I feel like I continue to succeed so that if I do become one of the starters, I will not look back.
Below are some photos and video.
This game went extra innings before we won. I'm #42.
Either I'm pitiching really fast or my dad has the camera on the wrong setting.
After countless conflicts, I finally got to my first game with the So Cal Dirtbags on Tuesday, June 14th. We rotated through four pitchers during the game, and I was the third to take the mound.
At one pont after I got away with hanging a curve ball, a coach I hadn't met came to the mound. He introduced himself as Greg McSparran, and said he was my pitching coach. It was kind of a funny time to be meeting him for the first time, but he gave me some good advice that helped me finish off two scoreless innings.
From June 11-12th, I attended the Perfect Game Sunshine West Showcase in Chula Vista, CA. Because of how many great players have gone to and go to this specific showcase, I knew I would be facing some of the beat competition in the western portion of the United States.
As I looked at the roster the night before, I was pumped to see my Saints teammate Eliot Stepanof and former travel ball teammate Evan Cassolato on my team for the showcase. For the first day, I, along with about 150 other potential prospects, showed up bright and early at 7 am at Southwestern College and stretched, threw, and ran the 60 yard dash. Although I did not take part on the outfield and infield skills part, that went on as well.
Our first game was at 10:45 am. Because I was a pitcher only for my high school season, I was a little out of my element when I went up and hit for the first time in a while. But I ended up going 1 for 3 with a high chopper that was perfectly placed. Although I did not appear on the mound the first day, the second day was my turn to throw. I threw for three innings allowing only one hit and striking out four against the 10 batters I faced.
This showcase was a real eye opener to the talent that I am competing against for a college roster spot, and is going to make me work even harder.
My dad took some photos and video from the three innings I pitched.
On June 7th, I attended a showcase at Granite Hills High School. This showcase was more of an All Star Game for all of the juniors in San Diego County. Along with three of my teammates that were selected from St. Augustine HS, I played on the West team as we battled the East team.
Prior to the start of the game, each player on their respective teams ran the 60 yard dash and took batting practice which gave it the "all star" feel. Because there were so many players on each team, pitchers only threw one inning and position players and hitters played about half the game. In order to make sure everyone got enough opportunities to show what they had, the rules for defense were five batters per inning.
As the 10 inning game went along, I finally got my opportunity late in the game. Although the first batter from El Capitan High School reached first, I followed with a double play, two strikeouts, and then a line out to center that was missed and resulted in a triple.
Although I was somewhat nervous going into the showcase, it turned out to be a very rewarding and challenging experience because none of the hitters were easy outs and I had to bring my best stuff every pitch.
Here are some photos my mom took and video from Mrs. Shives.
The San Diego newspaper Union-Tribune announced on Sunday their All-Academic Team for spring sports. I was pleased to be listed along with 11 of my teammates.
The coaches from all the San Diego area high school teams elect the top junior classmen from their teams to attend a showecase event. A note like this one below is what makes all the hard work of the baseball season worthwhile.
Lars has been selected to be in the Junior showcase on Tuesday June 7 at Granite Hills High School. He needs to be there at 3pm wearing grey pants and his gold BP top.
We knew we would have our hands full to beat El Capitan High School twice (5/31 and 6/2) to advance to the finals at Tony Gwynn Stadium on June 4th. Our first game got away from us pretty quickly, and by the time we rallied for four runs in the 6th inning, the game was nearly out of reach. Final score: 13-6.
The Division 3 finals will see Cathedral Catholic HS against El Capitan HS. The stats give El Capitan a slight edge, but both teams have some amazing talent so who knows. Not sure if I will be watching as final exams at St. Augustine HS start are June 6-8, and I need to study.
