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ApL Pulaski River Turtles

Bisacca Enjoying Small-Town Atmosphere

July 1, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Pulaski River Turtles News Release


PULASKI, Virginia- The 2016 Appalachian League season is just over a week old, but some players are already making an impact on the Pulaski Yankees. Pitcher Alex Bisacca is one player fans should keep an eye on. Through 4.1 innings in two games, Bisacca has given up no runs, no hits, and struck out five batters. He is one of seven pitchers on Pulaski's staff who have yet to give up a run in a game. Bisacca has more to offer than just his pitching, though.

Growing up in Plano, Texas, Bisacca is not used to the small-town feel of the Appalachian League. "The small-town atmosphere is cool, it seems like all the fans really care about us and enjoy coming to the games," he said in a recent interview. In Bisacca's first game for the Yankees, he pitched 2.2 innings and struck out four of the eight batters he faced, allowing just one runner on base from a walk. Bissaca said about the game, "it was awesome, to even get one strikeout was cool." Alex is not the most traditional pitcher; he prefers to throw with a more underhand motion, comparing himself to Brad Ziegler of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the rare occurrence of underhand pitchers, the motion is believed to be less harmful to pitcher's shoulders and elbows. Bisacca should know the benefits of pitching underhand; he is currently studying exercise science online at California University of Pennsylvania. He has an emphasis in sports rehab and enhanced performance. "It definitely takes good time management skills," Bisacca said about managing his school and baseball.

In a survey handed out to players, Bisacca said that some of his hobbies include fishing and golf, and that the golf courses in Plano are some of the favorite things about his hometown. When asked about his golf game, he said it's not as good as his pitching, but he does enjoy the social aspect of the game. On the water, the biggest fish Alex has ever managed to reel in was a five pound catfish off of his uncle's dock in Missouri.

Bisacca has already had a profound impact on his teammates, with fellow pitcher Jeff Degano naming him his favorite baseball player. Degano and Bisacca are roommates this season and met each other in the Yankees farm system last year.

Bisacca went with a more traditional pick for his favorite player, choosing Yogi Berra. Other favorites of Alex's include Iron Man as his favorite superhero, Chipotle for his favorite food, and "Man on Fire" as his favorite movie.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Bisacca said he is enjoying "playing for a crowd that actually cares how we do." The season is still early, but Bisacca is enjoying himself already and hoping for a successful 2016 campaign in Pulaski.

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