can a college baseball pitcher be an athlete?

Let's not let this become too serious of a discussion, but thought some of you might find this interesting...

The "Gman" (Grier Harrington) is playing this summer in the CPL with the Asheboro Copperheads. Their roster, like many teams, isn't complete due to missing players still in the playoffs. As luck would have it, the Copperheads are missing all of their middle infielders.

The coaches came to Grier and asked if he could fill in at shortstop, a position he hasn't played since two years ago in HS. He was recruited to UNC-A as a pitcher, but he did have a few innings in the outfield this past season and a couple of at bats... so I guess they figured he was the most qualified to fill in!

Through four games, he is batting .308 (2nd on the team) has one double, 3 RBI's and 3 runs scored! He also stole a base Saturday night, but it's not listed in his stats.... maybe the score keeper is still in shock that he tried to steal... and even more so, that he made it!

He's anxious to get on the mound to continue his work on pitching but it's been fun for him (and me!) to play the field and get those AB's!

 

an athlete

the N&O mentioned today that NCSU's QB/2B Russell Wilson would be playing in the CPL with Gastonia. So I guess he is serious about baseball after all.

not a pitcher but anyway thought folks might be interested.

 

YES! A college pitcher is an athlete...

Most, if not all, of these kids played multiple positions in high school. At the college level, we are adverse to pitchers hitting because we do not want them to get tired from running the bases or worst, get injured while running the bases. From my experience, really good hitting collegiate pitchers are turned into position players so we can utlize their bat every day. If not a position player, they DH on days they are not pitching. It's the old "risk-reward" scenario.

 

I think pitchers are the Best athletes



Go Grier!!!!! Represent!

 

I was listening to the MLB channel on XM the other day and Dibble was arguing with some guy who was saying that pitchers were not as athletic as position players because they can't, or don't, hit and run bases. Basically, it was the DH/no DH discussion.

Dibble pointed out that pitchers were really screwed when it came to hitting because after high school, they aren't allowed to hit! This is in both college and in the minors. There are a few (very few!) exceptions in college, but for the most part a kid that makes it to the "Show" for a National League team will have to pick up a bat for the first time in maybe six or eight years! No wonder they look like a spaz!

 

One of the best hitters I've ever seen in high school was Garrett Davis of C.B. Aycock (now at UNC). Davis was recruited to be a pitcher for UNC, so of course, he hasn't hit since.

 

....just ask their dads! lol
Rick Ankiel .....Bam!
Fish