Coming off a stellar season playing Class-A baseball in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization, former Ohio baseball player Walt Novosel began his second professional season with great confidence.
However, not long into the season, a small pain in Novosel's shoulder began to nag the former Bobcat.
I had an MRI done on the shoulder
and the team informed me it was a muscle pull and that it was OK to continue pitching Novosel said. I threw on it for nine more months.
Then, at the end of the 2004 season, the Diamondbacks ' who drafted Novosel in the 22nd round of the 2003 draft - Novosel said. They lied when they said it was only a muscle pull.
The Orioles refused to sign Novosel after hearing of the injury, often considered the most fearsome injury for a pitcher to sustain. After a legal battle with the Diamondbacks, they agreed to pay for the surgery, which would put Novosel out of baseball for more than a year.
In April, Novosel signed with the Washington Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League, a league for aspiring players hoping to be signed by Major League Baseball teams.
Novosel recognized the IFL was the place to test his arm and get back into professional baseball.
They will be understanding with my arm injury
where a Major League club would not
he said. I can get back on the mound and get my velocity up and my confidence back.
Wild Things' pitching coach Mark Mason recognizes the role of the IFL and also recognizes Novosel's talent.
This is what our league is all about
Mason said. Getting these guys back with MLB-affiliated teams. We are here to give these guys a second chance.
For a left-hander, Walt has great velocity and movement on his pitches. The main thing is we need to get his confidence back and settle his emotions down on the mound, Mason said.
Novosel is looking to make the most of every bit of his second chance and has remained positive throughout the healing process.
The injury was a little setback, but they say everything happens for a reason, Novosel said. I have learned to throw a curve ball and a change-up, so I don't have to rely solely on my fastball. It has made me a more complete pitcher.
Another positive Novosel is taking from playing for the Wild Things is being able to play so close to his family and fianc+
which is in Washington
Pa.
I'm very happy, Novosel said. This is the closest to home I've played since high school. My family used to have to drive 27 hours to come see me play. I'm excited they can come see me play and be at the games in no time.
Novosel's family will get the chance to see him play Saturday as he takes the mound as the starter in the Wild Things' home opener versus the Chillicothe Paints.
Mason believes if things go well
Novosel will not spend much time in a Wild Things' uniform.
I feel if he pitches the way he is capable, I don't expect he will be with the Wild Things long. He could soon be back on his way to a Major League affiliate, Mason said.
I think I have an even better chance this time around, Novosel said. I've worked to overcome this, and I am a better pitcher because of it.",",17,Archives,Brice Wiley,",",",",",","
14261,2006-05-26 06:00:00,Backtalk: Pitcher looks back on his career with Ohio baseball,",Ohio pitcher Derek Witt recently completed his collegiate career last week with an eight-inning
five-hit performance against Bowling Green.
He finished the 2006 season with a 6-4 record and a 5.04 earned run average. In four seasons
Witt pitched 260 1/3 innings
