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USF Summer Baseball Blog No. 16 - Bob Mott
July 8, 2009
Freshman left-hander Bob Mott returned to his hometown, San Luis Obispo, CA for summer ball this year. He blogs about his experience playing for the Rattlers.
Hey Dons Fans, This is Bob Mott. I was a freshman pitcher this past season on the 2009 Diamond Dons. This summer I am playing in the beautiful town of San Luis Obispo, CA. Most players will be able to recall our trip this year to play Cal Poly, and the wonderful area surrounding it. I am currently playing for the San Luis Obispo Rattlers, coached by former major leaguer, Roy Howell. The Rattlers are in the California Collegiate League, comprised of teams down the coast of California, and the defending NBC National Champion Santa Barbara Foresters is leading our league right now.
As many of you may know, I am from San Luis Obispo as well. Although I may have gotten some heat from teammates at USF for playing at home, I am definitely happy that I made the choice this year. I have been able to enjoy the fun aspects of living at home such as spending quality time with my family, and hanging out with high school friends that I have not had a chance to see for a year. I have also become friends with many of the guys on my team, showing them around San Luis and even offering some surf lessons. My teammates are from all around the country, from Miami to TCU to Hawaii. I have one WCC teammate from Portland, and there are a few other WCC players scattered around the league.
This past season at USF, I was used as a middle reliever and lefty-specialist. This summer I have made the adjustment to starter, and I believe there are some definite positives to starting such as knowing exactly what days you are going to pitch, and how to gear your workouts towards your next start. There are some negatives however: I have found it nearly impossible to pitch solely off adrenaline as a starter, when nearly every pitch I threw in the spring had tons of intensity. You really have to work into a groove and attacking on every pitch is more difficult when you throw 100 pitches instead of 10. I have really enjoyed this challenge and I know it will help me become a better pitcher in the long run.
I cannot wait to get back to USF and hear about everyone's summer ball experiences, and I have no regrets playing summer ball in my hometown because it is tough to beat the combination of California Summers and baseball. AOEP and Go Dons!
