Surprise, Surprise
7/23/03
The last time we talked about Class of 2000 Novi High School grad Mitch
Maier, he’d just been drafted in the first round by the Kansas City
Royals. Well it should come as no surprise that Mitch is off to a great
start in his first month of professional baseball.
Assigned to the ARI Royals (Arizona Royals of the Rookie-League), he now
makes his summer home in, no joke… Surprise, Arizona! That is of course
when he’s not on the road and he’s not feasting on rookie league
pitching.
After 23 games, Mitch Maier is hitting .415 with 39 hits and 10 doubles.
Not a bad first impression. Rookie leagues are loaded with prospects
that have live arms, athletic bodies, great speed and lots of promise.
Most rookie league prospects are very unrefined however, and many have
not even played past High School. That’s where Maier really sets himself
apart from the pack. His college experiences competing against tougher
competition in more meaningful games is very beneficial. He’s also
endured a more aggressive travel schedule, and is used to playing 65
games per season vs. 30.
Most importantly, Mitch has already had success against other budding
stars that have also had success. That tough pitcher that you face once
per week on the lower levels, you now get to face every day. The kids in
this league were somebody’s ace on their last team.
All in all, Mitch Maier is off to a fabulous start, and he’s learning
how to acclimate to a lifestyle that requires you to perform every day
while negotiating long bus rides, living away from home, and managing
the challenges to the body clock of a professional athlete.
I look for Mitch Maier to move up the ranks quickly, and when he gets to
Double-A, the real scrutiny will begin. I also look for Mitch Maier to
come through like he always has.
Surprised?
(c) 2003 Novi
Information Network
www.novi.org
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Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and
motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from
his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind
every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings"
said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a
metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also the voice of Novi Wildcat Hockey
and host of Wildcat Face-off, a local
radio program dedicated to youth sports in Novi.
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