Chris Smith, Perseverance in Pitching from High School to Yankees - Part 1

Chris & classmate Adam Duvall @ Butler High School in Louisville. Both made the Varsity team in their sophomore year4 years at Kentucky Wesleyan    played as a position player but later became a closing pitcherLake Erie Crushers in Avon – Chris was 6th pick out of 350 players for workoutNo pressure – by the way you are now starting in the 10th inning &  a Grand Slam against ChrisIndependent ball is cut throat – not much room for player talent developmentChris returns to Louisville as a fitness consultant & freshman baseball coach  @ Butler High SchoolChris’ goal & vision for his career changes as new opportunities ariseTraverse City Beach Bums later call Chris back to the game. The Bums had called up 42 pitchers to try out for 12 spots. Training was brutal but . . . Chris gets a tap on the shoulder. He is being cut by the Bums and he returns home.A turbulent Red Radar flight in a matchbox plane – next stop Pecos LeagueWhite Sands Pupfish & Motel 6Bring your own uniform pantsChris’ Professional baseball contract  - $0  salary Some players were paying $350 to play with the PupfishChris delivers 13 punchouts – bonus payoutsWashington Wild Things in 2011Chris Dugan, Observer Reporter puts Chris on the Wild Things Dream Team.Chris @ 2nd pitching start with the Wild Things  – parents in the stands.   First 6 batters get on base and score. Turning point in Chris’ career - Darin Everson, Pitching Coach & Manager visits Chris on the mound and helps him turn it around.Tampa Bay Rays  - strong tryout throwing 92 –to 95 and striking out 4 of 5 batters at CharlotteSpring Training, Bubbles & Chopping BlocksChris continues to expand his game traveling on a 16 hour flight to Brisbane to play in Australian Baseball LeagueChris throws his first No-Hitter in Australia, ABLField Announcer counts down each strikeout as Chris pitches another strikeout recordHouston Astros come a courtingChris accepts contract with New York Yankees Chris' journey into Major League Part 2 coming soonBaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google podcasts &@TheBaseballBiz on Twitter Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"Research sources included:Wild Things Dream Team: : Chris Dugan, Observer-Reporter.comChris Smith Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_(pitcher,_born_1988)Chris Smith on Baseball Referencehttps://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-011chr