KingFish
02-23-2002, 02:43 AM
It was the first time that Stottlemyre, who is recovering from arm problems that forced him to miss the entire 2001 season, had faced batters since last spring. He reported no problems with his arm and was able to throw all of his pitches, though he only threw a few sliders.
"It's been a while," said Stottlemyre. "I was just concentrating on trying to throw a lot of strikes. I was finishing my delivery good and the ball was coming out of my hand good. It's another step, it's a small step, but it's a step closer. It's just batting practice, but there's more intensity in throwing batting practice then in side work. Now, a few more batting practice sessions and then the next step will be in a game and the intensity level will jump up even more. I feel great."
Pitching coach Chuck Kniffin said that he would speak with Stottlemyre Saturday and see how he felt before determining whether the right-hander would face hitters again Sunday or Monday.
Stottlemyre showed his trademark competitiveness on the mound, cursing at himself a couple of times and pitching as though he were in a game situation.
"He was in more of a game rhythm," Brenly said. "Stott, for obvious reasons, took a little bit more time between pitches and was really concentrating on the mechanics that he's been working on all winter. I thought he looked great."
Brenly rode with Stottlemyre over to the practice field in a golf cart and reminded him that this wasn't Game 7 of the World Series and that he was not a young pitcher trying to impress so he could make the team.
Johnson stayed to watch Stottlemyre throw and Schilling wandered over from an adjacent diamond to check out the action.
"It's been a while," said Stottlemyre. "I was just concentrating on trying to throw a lot of strikes. I was finishing my delivery good and the ball was coming out of my hand good. It's another step, it's a small step, but it's a step closer. It's just batting practice, but there's more intensity in throwing batting practice then in side work. Now, a few more batting practice sessions and then the next step will be in a game and the intensity level will jump up even more. I feel great."
Pitching coach Chuck Kniffin said that he would speak with Stottlemyre Saturday and see how he felt before determining whether the right-hander would face hitters again Sunday or Monday.
Stottlemyre showed his trademark competitiveness on the mound, cursing at himself a couple of times and pitching as though he were in a game situation.
"He was in more of a game rhythm," Brenly said. "Stott, for obvious reasons, took a little bit more time between pitches and was really concentrating on the mechanics that he's been working on all winter. I thought he looked great."
Brenly rode with Stottlemyre over to the practice field in a golf cart and reminded him that this wasn't Game 7 of the World Series and that he was not a young pitcher trying to impress so he could make the team.
Johnson stayed to watch Stottlemyre throw and Schilling wandered over from an adjacent diamond to check out the action.