Facing Scary Batters and Sitting Them Down
July 15, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
Pete Vuckovich played intimidating hitter "Haywood" in the movie Major League.
In that same film, Dennis Haysbert played the voodoo baseball bat-wielding tough guy Pedro Serrano, before becoming the ever relaxing person of reassurance in Allstate Insurance commercials.
Every pitcher has faced a guy at the plate that intimidates them more than an extreme couponer scares cashiers on triple-coupon day. Whether it's the 14-year-old slugger with a mustache and chest hair, or a 500-home run hitting future Hall of Famer, Wichita Wingnuts' pitchers have faced their fair share of intimidating hitters.
Starter Chris Smith has logged the most major league time of anyone on the Wingnuts' roster. He spent parts of three of his 11 professional seasons playing in the Majors with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. He also had pitched at the Triple-A level for six seasons. It would figure that he would have at least one batter that scarred him like a loan-shark in a dark alley.
"Carlos Lee is a big guy who takes up the whole box, front-to-back, and side-to-side. It seemed like no matter where you threw it, it was just down the middle for him. He was tough guy for me to get out," Smith said.
Former Oakland A's farm hand Anthony Capra's choice for most intimidating foe made sense. He chose a guy that had been dominating and intimidating American League West Division pitchers for the last six years. Capra's pick was former Texas Rangers All-Star and current Los Angeles Angel Josh Hamilton.
"Josh Hamilton because he takes up the whole batter's box and hits balls 9,000 feet. He is an intimidating guy in the box," Capra said.
Wingnuts' reliever Daniel Bennett has been outstanding for Wichita this season. Bennett pitched for the Detroit Tigers' organization and this season has 39 strikeouts in 30.0 innings pitched. None of those strikeouts compare to the one he had against another former Rangers' slugger who is now preparing to make his 2013 MLB debut after finishing a rehab assignment.
"I faced Alex Rodriguez last year. Just knowing his history is pretty intimidating. I only faced him once, but I struck him out looking," Bennett said.
Last season Nick Walters tied the American Association record for appearances, as he pitched in 57 games. Walters remembers an appearance against a tough right-handed slugger who currently calls Turner Field in Atlanta his home park.
"I faced Justin Upton in spring training down in Tucson. He's a big boy and is right on the plate. I got him out, but he hit it about 500 feet into the air. He has quick hands," Walters said.
Wichita closer Josh Dew's choice of a scary opponent played in Wichita's Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in 2006 and 2007.
"I faced Kila Ka'aihue in Double-A. He is just a big lefty, and I was having trouble with lefties at the time. He's a big power and RBI guy who was intimidating," Dew said.
Ka'aihue played two seasons for the Wichita Wranglers and would also play for the Kansas City Royals.
Wichita starter Justin Klipp remembered his biggest challenge at the plate coming during his years at the collegiate level. Klipp and Tampa Bay Rays' all-star third baseman Evan Longoria played key roles in the historic rivalry between Cal-State Fullerton and Long Beach State.
"I struck out Evan Longoria and that was tough because of the situation. There were runners on first and second with one out, and I came into the ninth inning in a 2-2 game. It was against our college rivals and I struck out back-to-back hitters and one of them just happened to be Longoria," Klipp said.
The best description of the toughest batter faced came from young Josh Stone. Stone is a true rookie who just finished his college career at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS.
"My best friend in high school was tough for me to face because I just could not take him seriously when I faced him," Stone said.
There are lots of reasons batters can be intimidating at the plate. They may crowd it. They may look like they could eat it, or as Stone says, because of their very presence you just can't focus when facing them.
The Wingnuts starting rotation and bullpen have very seldom been phased this season by American Association hitters. The Wichita pitching staff continues to be among the league leaders in wins, fewest hits allowed, strikeouts, and team ERA.
The Wingnuts return home on Thursday, July 19th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.
For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from July 15, 2013
- T-Bones Ride Hit Parade to Victory over AirHogs - Kansas City Monarchs
- Correction on the Double Header Between the Saints and Lemurs for Tuesday - St. Paul Saints
- Krout Outduels Parise as 'Cats Defeat 'Dogs - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts Tie Franchise Record Winning Streak - Wichita Wingnuts
- Nine-Run Fifth Fries Fish - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Laredo Lemurs Rained Out - Laredo Lemurs
- Saints Double Header Record Will Fall as Game against Lemurs Is Rained Out - St. Paul Saints
- Amarillo Sox Game Suspended - Amarillo ThunderHeads
- Facing Scary Batters and Sitting Them Down - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - July 15th, 2013 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Sign Osuna - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Lemurs Home vs. St. Paul Saints Tonight - Laredo Lemurs
- Goldeyes Trade Liles to Gary - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Two Canaries Capture Both Weekly League Awards - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints and AirHogs Double Header Scheduled for July 19 - St. Paul Saints
- Saltdogs Upcoming Home Series: July 15-17 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Diablos Pitching Trumps Lemurs - Laredo Lemurs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
