Pitchers Singh & Patel, one’s a lefty, one’s a righty, don’t ask me which one is which, got their chance yesterday to throw in front of major league scouts at Dr. Kowcher’s. Even though I’m staying in Tempe, I couldn’t make it over to see the historic event, mainly because I couldn’t get the necessary information in time, due to the internet being unavailable at my hotel.
I did talk with a fellow White Sox fan, whom I’d befriended at last night’s game in Mesa. He told me, Tom House was on hand, explaining how he’d been working with the two hurlers, perfecting their techniques. The first time one of the youngsters faced live batters against a local college, he plunked the first two batters he faced, a case of the jitters.
I wonder how other phenoms from the USA would make out in similar circumstances, in a foreign country, playing an unfamiliar game, and with their entire futures riding on their tryout. Here’s what happened yesterday, the tall lefty threw 87 mph, and showed some promise. While the stockier righthander hit 91 mph, but looked to have a much lower ceiling. Both guys were all over the place with their control.
It’ll be interesting what happens in the lives and baseball careers of these two young men from India. I wish them well! Baseball truly is an international game, despite what the Olympics might think.