Losing Can Be A New Experience

Baseball 2009, Game 83: Florence RedWolves 2, Columbia Blowfish 1

Florence Sloppiness: 11
Columbia Sloppiness: 7
Most batters in one inning: 6
Hitter of the Game: Richard Mounce, Columbia (rating: 29)
Pitcher of the Game: Stephen McCray, Florence (rating: 111)
Time of Game: 2:10
Mid-game temperature: 83 degrees
Attendance: 1,688 (Level III sporting event)

Tyler Christman isn't used to losing. This past year, Christman has pitched for the Sumter P-15's (the 3rd best team in American Legion Baseball last year) and the USC Sumter Fire Ants, which were ranked as high as 3rd as well in JUCO baseball (finishing 52-11). Christman wins almost all his starts and tends to dominate weak hitters. Before Friday night, Christman's last two appearances at American Legion Field were in the 2008 South Carolina American Legion Baseball State Tournament. Both games in the tourney he pitched poorly, but his team pulled out both games.

But now Christman pitches for the Columbia Blowfish, who back him up with .215 batting. As was mentioned earlier, Christman gave up no earned runs in his first game against Thomasville, but lost due to two unearned runs. Since then, Christman was drafted in the 44th round by the Texas Rangers. He continues to pitch with the woeful Blowfish while considering his career options. Christman fell behind hitters frequently, but the RedWolves' batters could only make minimal contact against Christman's pitches. Christman was cruising through five innings, having allowed only three hits, a walk, and no runs. Yet the Blowfish couldn't take advantage of numerous chances given to them by sloppy Florence play. Only a home run by Clemson's Richard Mounce put the Blowfish on the board with a run. Thanks to an error by first baseman Nick Chinners the RedWolves were able to tie the game on a fielders choice by Tyler Burnett. This was yet another unearned run for Christman, and in the meantime the Blowfish couldn't hit Tennessee's Stephen McCray.

In the bottom of the 7th things went downhill. Christman was facing runners on 1st and 2nd with two out when the umpire called a balk. Blowfish manager Tim Medlin got on the umpire about the call, and the umpires kept looking for more trouble. After Christman walked Drew Haynes, the umpire called another balk on Christman, allowing Herman Petzold to score the go-ahead run. The call left Christman in shock and Medlin furious with the umpiring crew. I have noticed that balks have been called much more frequently lately. The problem Christman is facing is that the CPL umpires are fresh out of the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corp (PBUC)'s training school and are often inexperienced. They are often trying to look hard for a potential balk, perhaps to show that they have the ability to cal one. And combined with poor play by his teammates and these calls, Christman would lose his second game in three CPL starts. Christman's other start was a no-decision. Fortunately Christman is 3rd in the CPL with a 1.43 ERA, a stat that matters more than his 0-2 record.

But like all baseball players, Christman wants to help his team win. And not being able to do that is frustrating. But as players progress through Small Time Sports, they will have to learn about losing at some time. Most players are usually part of successful teams at the high school and small college level. But when they reach higher levels of Small Time Sports as they ascend towards the big time, they can't win it by themselves and will have to lose sometime. Losing has a psychological effect on many players. It can be negative, as losing is often disheartening and can reduce self-esteem. But it can also be positive and inspire motivation. Christman will have to pitch an outstanding game, something he has done often before, to get a CPL win. How he responds to this losing experience in the Coastal Plain League may shape how he develops as a pitcher.