Here is the second part of the new series, the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Dusty White, a junior right-handed pitcher at Wingate. The correspondence was done through e-mail.
White, the Thunderbolts' Opening Day starter, leads all Thunderbolt starting pitchers with a 1.99 ERA, and is 2-2 on the year.
Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?
A: It has allowed me to help polish up on some mechanical flaws that need some work as well as continue to develop all aspects of my pitching.
Q: What were your expectations coming in to the year, both for the team and individually?
A: I didn't really know what to expect. It was my first time staying with a host family. However I heard from guys back at school that playing up here for the summer was a blast.
Q: How do you feel about the performance of the team and your own performance so far this year?
A: We've played some pretty close games so far, ones that could have gone either way, But with quite a few more games left, I feel we can easily be one of the top three teams in the league and compete in the playoffs. Overall, I'm pretty please with my overall performance however still working to get better.
Q: What has been the toughest team, and more specifically, the toughest hitter that you have faced this year?
A: I feel the toughest team is the Big Train. We just can't seem to beat them. There are too many tough hitters, a lot of guys who seem to be a tough out.
Q: What are your expectations for yourself and for the team for the rest of the year?
A: To have a few less walks, and team wise to just have fun, play hard and see what happens in the playoffs.
Q: Why did you join the CRSCBL and how did you get to the Thunderbolts?
A: The coaches at school recommended it and thought it would give me a chance to face some good competition and get better.
Q: Are there any special rituals/superstitions that you do to prep for a game or during a game?
A: Nope. Don't believe in any type of superstitions.
Q: Do you have a special diet or exercise regimen to help keep you in shape? For example, a special meal on game days?
A: No specials meals, just try to eat healthy most of the time. A lot of protein. I try to work out 6 days a week, try to relax the day I am pitching.
Q: What are your plans after college?
A: To hopefully get the opportunity to place at the professional level.
Q: What is your mentality when you are pitching?
A: To focus on constantly pounding the strike zone, get ahead early in the count, force the hitters to hit my pitch, and do not give in under any circumstances.
Q: What do you need to improve as a player and as a team?
A: As a team I feel when need to be more aggressive offensively and to really focus on executing in pressure situations.
Q: Do you have any advice to kids who want to play baseball at a high level?
A: To just follow your dreams, don't let anyone tell you that you cant do something; if they do then prove them wrong, and to work as hard as you possibly can.
Q: Are you staying with host parents? What has your experience been like in the DC Area?
A: Yes I am staying with a host family. The experience has been fun, still trying to get used to all the traffic.
Q: Who was your favorite player/team when you were growing up?
A: Favorite team has always been they Los Angeles Dodgers, no player specifically.
Q: What player, if any, do you try to model your game after?
A: None in particular, just try to take any advice I get and use it to my advantage to make me better.
Q: How does the level of play in the CRSCBL compare to the level of play in your college season?
A: There is some very good competition, some of the hitters can really handle the wood bats, which can be very tough to do at any level.
Really interesting read, from one Dodger Fan to another Mr. White
Howdy, Austin Drewyer did not sport his era vs the Bombers on Tuesday, he waited until Thursday to pitch 4 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, 5 Ks, 1BB thanks for the correction