A Pitcher With Good Control

A PITCHER WITH GOOD CONTROL makes life hard on opposing batters. In a 1998 high school game, Erik Thompson struck out a heap of batters when he pitched with near perfection.

The sophomore from Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida, stepped on the mound for his first varsity starting assignment. Whatever nervousness Thompson felt before the game quickly dissipated as he struck out the first nine batters he faced.

After giving up a single to right field, Thompson stayed in control and continued to throw strike after strike. Relying primarily on his fastball, he whiffed another 11 batters before allowing a second single to right field.

Since high school baseball games last just seven innings, Thompson needed only one out to complete the game. Before it could be recorded, however, the runner stole second and scored on an error. Despite giving up the run, Thompson fanned the final batter and tallied all 21 outs in the contest via strikeouts.

Pine Forest won the game 9–1, with Thompson providing the bulk of the offense himself. He collected three hits in four at bats, including a triple and a home run.

Surprisingly, Thompson’s 21 strikeouts didn’t set a national high school record. In 1986, Brett Jennings of Lingleville, Texas, recorded 24 Ks in a seven-inning game. (Since batters can reach base on a third-strike passed ball or wild pitch, it’s possible to strike out more than 21 batters in a game.)

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POINT An excellent pitcher maintains control of his throws, whether fastball, curve, slider, or changeup. Errors by teammates, taunts by opponents, and close calls by umpires don’t make him angry or cause him to lose his cool. Erik Thompson had control, refusing to let the two hits bother him.

God wants us to keep that kind of control in every aspect of our life. Words said in anger cause permanent damage. Actions spurred by wrath result in regret. But self-control produces success.

GOAL! Picture some baseball games you’ve watched or played. How did the players handle adversity? Did they show anger, or did they exercise control? What about you? Ask God to help you control your anger.