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Rittinger plays a key role on Mavericks pitching staff
SEAN ROONEY
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He might not have a handlebar moustache like Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers, but Medicine Hat Mavericks closer Cam Rittinger is proving Jones isn’t the only one who can be a stopper without a 90 mile per hour fastball.
The Gas City native is arguably the Mavs’ most valuable player through the all-star break, sporting team bests in earned run average (2.95), saves (four) and appearances (16). As one of four Mavs in Thursday’s all-star game, he even picked up the win for Team West — in a typical one-inning outing, nonetheless.
It’s a radical departure from his high school days at Athletic Park, where Rittinger routinely started and finished games for the Hat High Mohawks and Moose Monarchs.
“Throwing one inning at a time, yeah, it takes some adjustment,” said Rittinger, who finished his first year at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where the Swedes went 40-17 and lost out in NAIA regionals. “But the biggest thing is sitting on the bench for eight innings and just waiting, you don’t know whether you’re going to get in or not.”
That’s suited the cerebral Rittinger just fine. Long known for his array of off-speed pitches and ability to throw them at any point in the count, what’s really stood out is his ability to locate the ball and not make mistakes. Through 36 innings he has 26 strikeouts and just eight walks — a ratio of better than three to one. Generally, anything better than one to one means you’re doing well.
“I haven’t really changed my style of pitching,” he admitted. “I’ve always stuck with the offspeed, but I just really focus on location, location; hitting spots, keeping it low, keeping hitters off-balance.”
In a season where the team has been anything but consistent, the junkballing righty is one of the few sure things coach Mike Greene can count on. When pitchers were in short supply Greene went to Rittinger nightly, and with a couple arms on the fritz he may even give him a few more starts down the stretch.
“When we have the lead he wants the ball,” said Greene. “If we didn’t have Cam we’d be in trouble.”
It’s a far cry from Rittinger’s spot on the team last year. On a team that went 15-27, Rittinger threw just six innings but did play left field regularly. After being heralded as one of a handful of new local products on the team, he wasn’t too thrilled at how little the Hatters were used.
“Last year I felt like a lot of the local guys didn’t get into the game as much as I thought they should,” said Rittinger. “What we were doing wasn’t working. We weren’t winning many games and something needed to be changed; other opportunities weren’t looked upon.”
With the club near .500 and in playoff contention, things are different this year but Greene has no problem playing Rittinger — whether he’s from Medicine Hat or Timbuktu.
“He’s like Todd Jones of the Tigers. He’ll throw at you, hit him five times and once in a while you’ll beat him,” said Greene. “It’s nothing spectacular but he does exactly what you ask him to do.” |
